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.

had clearly misunderstood the relationship between Toby and

believe that the innocent baby that

Ayla must have suffered back then listening to

like a

out menial tasks! Why on

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

fully aware

had not had sexual relations.She was aware that people wouldn't

she had given herself to him so early in

I am

been indecisive in the

on Ayla because he saw how

was nothing without the Smith family.Molly gazed into Toby's

see Ayla ever again? Not to even think about her? Can you erase every memory of her? If you make every attempt to avoid her then

Molly concluded.

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

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

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

be a major part

words brought a beam of

the night in the hotel? We should not head

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 would always treat him this

Ayla had returned to the

affectionately, "I'll take over now.You get some well-deserved rest,

one else was around.Ayla replied sweetly, "It's okay.I

wash out all disturbing

sooner she reconciled her thoughts, the less desperate

did you bruise your face so badly?

it's nothing," Ayla

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

to see you in such pain.Who did

tenderly nestled Ayla

dabbed on her face.Ayla took the ice pack and reassured Maria, "I'm fine, really.I'll

happy when he finds out."

a rule.What could have possibly

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

to run into

she not mention to me? Why

their conversation

Mortified, Ayla stood up.

ice pack crushed

not expecting you

much

noticed the bruise on

"What happened to you?"

into a wall and got