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.

rooms were dark except for a

kitchen and poured

turned to Arlene, who had called just to ask

knew her sister very well,

money, she would just keep calling and calling until she got her

not the first time such a thing had

get money from Clayton,

no choice but to give her the bulk

can I

tired she didn't even have the energy to return to her

downstairs, he saw Ayla fast asleep

He scowled.

on purpose, pretending to be pitiful so I feel sorry for her” he thought

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

table and put it back

who sat up

face looking down at

"Mr.Clark," she said uneasily.

stood up, stepping

unconsciously putting

what

he poured himself a glass of water, he asked, "Am I

"No," Ayla said quickly.

truth was, she was indeed afraid of

but to face him no matter how great her fear

he said, watching as she made sure not to

down in the furthest chair, raising an eyebrow

twisted her

to

wanted even the slightest bit

in order to go out, she had to obtain

said, "Go ahead.I

her ears.Brian

what I said

want, but you are not

won't be out

although there was not a lot of money in her account, she decided she

get ready and to tell her sister to meet her at

Ayla arrived at their meeting

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

didn't bother to waste any time on greetings or

hair fell in curls over

and tasteful makeup.She

you

hadn't seen each other

was

your business!"

Brian's wife now? Look at yourself! Why are you dressed in such shabby clothes? Are you pretending

sip of her coffee, glancing

Ayla shook her head.

worst of me? Now that Dad is having such a big problem with

my life! What I need is for you to give me more money," Arlene said angrily, putting down her cup so hard that

Ayla handed her sister the

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

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

Arlene was difficult to deal with, Ayla would never turn her away, because of the gratitude she felt towards the Woodsen family

been left out on

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

now Arlene was saying the same thing but instead of

this the reason why she became the