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.

misunderstood the relationship between

refused to believe that the innocent baby that Ayla was carrying was

listening to the

like a weak, sick

menial tasks! Why

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 responsibility! Did

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 easily forget those who had sexual relations

so soon only because she had given herself to him so early in their

she fallen 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 trust.I am your husband ...and

indecisive in

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

was nothing without the Smith

never to see Ayla ever again? Not to even think about her? Can you erase every memory

Molly concluded.

love, but at the end of

taking her in his arms as gently as a newborn, he whispered

lying in pain in that diseased hospital bed.Molly was the only person who

was destined to be a

a beam

she teased, "Shall we spend the night in the hotel? We should not head

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

Ayla had returned to the villa and was packing

said affectionately, "I'll take over now.You

no one else was around.Ayla replied sweetly, "It's okay.I

wash out all disturbing thoughts from her

desperate she would be.Suddenly Maria

in heaven's name did you bruise your face so badly? Oh no! Your lips are also swollen!"

it's nothing," Ayla

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

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

Ayla on

towel and dabbed on her

will not be too happy when he finds out." Maria's

distances herself from conflicts as a rule.What could have possibly transpired at the

doesn't need to know.I'll ensure that I'm back in

to run into

to me? Why don't you

had overheard their conversation in the living

Mortified, Ayla stood up.

ice pack crushed to

not expecting you back so soon!" she

had returned much earlier

bruise on

"What happened to you?"

into a