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.

the rooms were dark except for a dim yellow light in

and poured herself a drink

who had

sister very

would just keep calling and calling until she

first time such

Arlene couldn't get money from Clayton, she

the bulk of the salary

can I do?’' she

even have the energy to return to

when Brian went downstairs, he saw Ayla fast asleep on the table,

He scowled.

pitiful so I feel sorry for her” he thought

no reason for her to sleep

on the table and put

roused Ayla, who sat up immediately, rubbing

face looking down at

"Mr.Clark," she said uneasily.

stepping away from

was unconsciously putting distance between

saw what she

a glass of water, he asked,

"No," Ayla said quickly.

was, she was indeed afraid

face him no matter how

watching as she made sure not to get

down in the furthest chair, raising

twisted her hands

said, "I would like to go out today.May I leave

wanted even the slightest bit of

in order to go out, she had to obtain

ahead.I won't stop

her ears.Brian

what I said

you are not allowed to go

be out for

had a bankbook, and although there was not a lot of money in her

ready and to tell her

Ayla arrived at their meeting

was already waiting, and she snapped,

didn't bother to waste any time on greetings or catching up

brown hair fell in curls over her

gorgeous dress and tasteful makeup.She

how are you doing?"

hadn't seen each other for a long

Arlene was up to, or why she needed

none of your business!" said Arlene, sounding

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

a sip of her coffee, glancing with disdain at Ayla's

Ayla shook her head.

always think the worst of me? Now that Dad is having such a big problem with his company, are you still

you to give me more money," Arlene said angrily,

her

all?" said Arlene, looking with disgust at the total amount she would

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

turn her away, because of the gratitude she felt towards the Woodsen family for adopting

would have been left out on the streets to

you badly? Doesn't he give you a large allowance? If he's that kind of man, it's fortunate I didn't marry

froze, stunned

Arlene was saying the same thing but instead of telling him to his

this the reason why she became the