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

refused to believe that the innocent baby that Ayla was carrying

listening to

a weak,

tasks! Why on earth was she

I was the one who was subjected to humiliation! My husband made a beeline for another woman in public! Am I nothing to you? Be honest with 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

breath after this tirade.She was fully aware that Ayla

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

given herself to him so early in their

pregnant yet?Toby cradled Molly in his arms and lovingly remarked, "Molly, I am truly sorry.Let's put this unpleasant episode behind us and move forward with renewed strength and

been indecisive in the

decided to give up on Ayla because he saw how she was pressured

Smith family.Molly gazed into Toby's

Can you erase every memory of her? If you make every attempt to avoid her then

Molly concluded.

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

his arms as gently as

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

to be a

brought a beam of sunlight to her

the night in the hotel? We should

always been a caring, protective, somewhat possessive lover, but

Ayla had returned to

"I'll take over

only called her "Lala" when no one else was around.Ayla replied sweetly, "It's okay.I need to keep

all disturbing thoughts

she reconciled her thoughts, the less desperate she

face so badly? Oh no! Your lips are also swollen!"

it's nothing," Ayla

walked into a wall and got a nasty bump."

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

nestled Ayla on

she wrapped in a towel and dabbed on her face.Ayla took the ice pack and reassured Maria, "I'm fine, really.I'll be as good as new in

not be too happy when he finds

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

him.He doesn't need to know.I'll ensure that I'm back in my room before

not to run into

mention to me? Why don't you want me to

their conversation in

Mortified, Ayla stood up.

crushed to the

we were not expecting you back so soon!"

much earlier than

noticed the bruise

"What happened to you?"

walked into a