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.

the relationship

refused to believe that the innocent baby that

then listening to

looked like a

servants to carry out menial tasks! Why

me.You owe me that much.If you no longer love me then admit it.You didn't have to feel obligated to marry me just because I gave up my virginity to you.That's not your responsibility!

tirade.She was fully aware

to believe that they had not had sexual relations.She was aware that people wouldn't easily forget those who

that Toby had married her so soon only because she had given herself to him so

lovingly remarked, "Molly, I am truly sorry.Let's put this unpleasant episode behind

had been indecisive

only decided to give up on Ayla because he saw

the Smith family.Molly gazed into

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

Molly concluded.

this love, but at the end of the day, was he really worth it? Toby

as gently as a newborn,

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

a major

a beam of sunlight to her

in the hotel? We should not head home.You know how inquisitive

loved Toby.She had always been a caring, protective, somewhat possessive lover, but it had all been in the name of love.She would always treat him this

of the powerful rainbow.Meanwhile, Ayla had returned to

over now.You get

was around.Ayla replied sweetly, "It's okay.I need to keep busy right

to wash out all disturbing

her thoughts, the less desperate she would

your face so badly? Oh no!

it's nothing," Ayla

into a wall and got a nasty bump." Ayla's lies literally ate her up.She knew that Maria was

that, Lala.Tell me what happened.I can't bear to see you in such pain.Who did this to you? How can anyone

tenderly nestled Ayla on the

which she wrapped in a towel and dabbed on her face.Ayla took the ice pack and reassured

happy when

hearted.She distances herself from conflicts as a rule.What could have possibly transpired at the mall that resulted in

to know.I'll ensure that I'm back

determined not to

mention to me? Why don't you want me

overheard their conversation in the

Mortified, Ayla stood up.

crushed to the

were not expecting you back so soon!"

much earlier

bruise

"What happened to you?"

a wall