The Substitute Bride: Making Memories Of Us (Lois Stone)

"It's not what I think?" said Arlene sarcastically.

"You're unbelievable! If you don't want to give me money, just say so! I can't believe you're being so selfish and ungrateful.After all those years we spent raising you and taking care of you!"

Arlene knew her little sister very well.

While Ayla didn't get anything from the Woodsen family, she believed she was still indebted to them.

"I really don't have money," Ayla said unhappily.

Even as she spoke, however, she saw movement out of the corner of her eye.

Brian had entered the room.How long had he been standing there? How much had he overheard?

 "You're back,"she blurted out.

She was so surprised that her grip on the phone loosened, and it fell to the floor.

Brian frowned.

"What's wrong? Are you short of money? Who is trying to borrow money from you?"

He walked quickly forward and grabbed the phone before she could pick it up.

He looked at the number displayed on the screen.

Ayla snatched her phone back, pressing the button to end the call.

‘'I can't let him find out who called me’' she thought anxiously.

'If he finds out, who knows how he'll react?”

"Which boy toy of yours is asking you for money?" Brian asked in a dangerous tone.

He moved closer to her, placing his hand on her neck.To Ayla, his touch felt threatening.

"Are you deaf? Answer me!" he snapped.

When she still said nothing, he said grimly, "I've been gone for only a few days, and already you're lonely?"

He moved his hands to her shoulders and pushed her backward until she sat down heavily on the sofa inside the bedroom.

"Remember who you are! Have you already forgotten your current identity?"

"Mr.Clark, please don't do this," Ayla said desperately.

"I really didn't do anything wrong, I swear."

She wanted to push him away, but he was pressing her down into the sofa, gripping her wrists tightly.

"It's not up to you what I do," he said.

His eyes were dark with anger.

She felt a wave of fear.

Her refusal was only making him more determined to have his way with her.

She didn't have any say in the matter.She clenched her fists.

The terrible feeling of having no control over the situation made her bite her lower lip so hard that it bled.

'He must truly hate me’' she thought frantically.

After all, he had never bothered to treat her gently.He'd never even kissed her lips.And he wasn't nice or gentle this time, either.

Later, when Brian had left her room and the sky had turned black outside her window, Ayla crept downstairs.

were dark except for a

quietly to the kitchen and poured herself a drink

Arlene, who had called just to

knew her sister very well,

money, she would just keep calling

first time

the past, when Arlene couldn't get money from Clayton, she

had no choice but to give her the bulk of the salary

I

she didn't even have the energy to return

went downstairs, he saw Ayla fast asleep on the table, her head buried

He scowled.

this way on purpose, pretending to be pitiful so I feel

upstairs.There's no reason for her to sleep in the dining

table and put it back down with a

Ayla, who sat up immediately, rubbing

the cold face looking down at

"Mr.Clark," she said uneasily.

stood up, stepping away from the

putting distance between

what

he poured himself a glass of water, he asked,

"No," Ayla said quickly.

was, she was indeed

face him no

as she made sure

chair, raising

her

like to go out today.May I leave the

wanted even the slightest bit of

to go out, she had to obtain

ahead.I won't stop

ears.Brian had agreed

remember what I said before,"

out if you want, but you are not allowed to go out with other men." Ayla

won't be out for

and although there was not a lot of money in her account, she decided she would give the remaining

went to her room to get ready and to tell her sister

arrived at their meeting

waiting, and she snapped, "Finally, you're here.Where's the

waste any time on greetings or catching up

in curls over

dress and tasteful

you doing?" Ayla

each other for a long

had no idea what Arlene was up

none of your business!" said Arlene, sounding

you dressed in such shabby clothes? Are you pretending to be poor so I'll stop

her coffee, glancing with disdain at

Ayla shook her head.

that Dad is having such a big problem with his company, are you

you meddling in my life! What I need is for you to give me more money," Arlene said angrily, putting

her sister the

with disgust at the total amount she would

my sister, I don't have a lot of money. That's all I have,"

away, because of the gratitude she felt towards

left

treating you badly? Doesn't he give you a large allowance? If he's that kind of man, it's fortunate I didn't marry him.By the way, have you had sex

froze, stunned and

people had said that Brian was the devil, and now Arlene was saying the same thing but instead of

she became the