The Substitute Bride: Making Memories Of Us (Lois Stone)

Ayla looked at Molly totally aghast.Then she stared at Toby quizzically.She said, "Get up, Mrs.Brown.I promise not to ever see him again!"

After all that had transpired recently, there was certainly no reason for her and Toby to ever see each other again.

Toby tried to interject but Ayla knew that anything he uttered at that moment would further exacerbate the problem.

She instructed him, "Mr.Brown, take your precious wife home! We are in a public place now."

Ayla was not in the least bit concerned about anyone's opinions about her.

But she knew at the back of her mind that if the daughter and son-in-law of the prestigious Smith Group continued to misbehave in public, they would promptly feature in the following day's news broadcast.Ayla then made a hasty exit from the shopping mall.

Lyle, who had been patiently awaiting her at the gate, hurried forth to assist her with her bag.

He immediately detected that something was amiss.

Deeply concerned, he enquired, "Miss Woodsen, are you all right?"

Lyle was horrified to see her swollen face and the bloodstain at the corner of her mouth.

She had been in the mall for barely an hour.

What could have possibly happened to drive her into this tragic state?

"I'm just fine, Lyle.Don't mention a word about this to Mr.Clark," she pleaded.

Ayla slumped against the seat helplessly.

She gently closed her eyes and introspected.

Tears cascaded down her burning cheeks.

She was consumed by old emotions of heartbreak and bitterness.

Past pain of misery resurfaced.

Coupled with this emotional torture, she had reached a new low of extreme pain and helplessness.

Meanwhile, after quickly assessing the gravity of the situation, Toby swept Molly off to a nearby hotel.

Miley, on seeing them safe, gestured to the driver to take her back home.

Molly was visibly disturbed.She couldn't bear to look Toby in the eye.

"Molly,"

Toby comforted, "please don't be angry.You know that I had lost all contact with Lala.Was all this embarrassing drama even necessary? And in full view of the public?"

Toby asked her with some concern in his voice as he sat beside her.He was genuinely worried about Ayla.

Four months into her pregnancy and he did not notice a baby bump.

Chances were great that she had miscarried.

clearly misunderstood the relationship between Toby

the innocent

Ayla must have suffered back then listening to

a

had enough servants to carry out menial tasks! Why on earth was she

you? Be honest with me.You owe me that much.If

a breath after this tirade.She was fully aware that Ayla and Toby had lived together in that

be naive to believe that they had not had sexual relations.She was aware that people wouldn't

because she had given herself

and lovingly remarked, "Molly, I am truly sorry.Let's put this

had been indecisive in

because he saw

without the Smith

you absolutely sure? Do you really mean it? Can you promise never to see Ayla ever again? Not to even think about her? Can you erase every memory

Molly concluded.

had made many a sacrifice to sustain this love, but at the end of the day, was he really worth it? Toby slowly

gently as a newborn, he whispered convincingly, "Yes,

pain in that diseased hospital bed.Molly was the only person who had stood by him and

to be a major part of his

words brought a beam of sunlight

we spend the night in the hotel? We should not head home.You know how

the depths of her being that she truly loved Toby.She had always been a caring, protective, somewhat possessive lover, but it had all been in the name of love.She

of the powerful rainbow.Meanwhile, Ayla had returned

affectionately, "I'll take over now.You get some

called her "Lala" when no one else was around.Ayla replied sweetly,

out all disturbing thoughts from her

sooner she reconciled her thoughts, the less desperate she would

bruise your face so badly? Oh

nothing,"

into a wall and got a nasty bump." Ayla's lies literally

can't bear to see you

nestled Ayla on

to the fridge and returned with an ice pack which she wrapped in a towel and dabbed on her face.Ayla took the ice pack and reassured Maria, "I'm fine,

not be too happy when he finds

as a rule.What could have possibly transpired at

don't mention anything to him.He doesn't need to know.I'll ensure that I'm back in my

was determined not to run into

mention to me? Why don't you want me

overheard their conversation in

Mortified, Ayla stood up.

pack crushed

not expecting you back so soon!" she

much earlier

noticed the bruise

"What happened to you?"

into a wall and got