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

innocent baby that Ayla was carrying was

must have suffered back then listening to the baseless accusations snarled upon

like a

out menial tasks! Why on earth was she asked to go out and

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

this tirade.She was fully aware that Ayla and Toby had lived

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

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

hadn't taken any contraceptives recently, but why hadn't she fallen pregnant yet?Toby cradled Molly in his arms and lovingly remarked, "Molly, I am truly sorry.Let's

indecisive in

up on Ayla because he

without the Smith family.Molly

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

Molly concluded.

to sustain this love, but at the end

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

person who had stood by him and helped him get

a major part of his

beam of sunlight to

the hotel? We should not head home.You know

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

rainbow.Meanwhile, Ayla had returned to the villa and

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

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

all disturbing thoughts

desperate she would be.Suddenly

you bruise your face so badly? Oh no! Your lips are also swollen!" she

it's nothing," Ayla

nasty bump." Ayla's lies literally ate

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

nestled Ayla on the

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

happy when he finds out."

have possibly transpired at

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

determined not to run

mention to me? Why don't

had overheard their conversation

Mortified, Ayla stood up.

ice pack crushed to the

we were not expecting you back so soon!" she

much earlier

bruise

"What happened to you?"

walked into a