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.

for a dim yellow light in the living

poured herself a drink of

thoughts turned to Arlene, who had called just to

sister

knew that if Arlene didn't receive any money, she would just keep

time such a thing

couldn't get money from Clayton, she would ask

the

can I do?’' she

have the energy to

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

He scowled.

purpose, pretending to be pitiful so I feel sorry for

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

on the table and put it back down with

sat up immediately, rubbing the sleep

the cold face looking down at

"Mr.Clark," she said uneasily.

stood up, stepping

putting

saw what she was

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

"No," Ayla said quickly.

was indeed afraid of

had no choice but to face him no matter how great

doing?" he said, watching as she made

sat down in the furthest chair, raising an eyebrow at

her hands

said, "I would like to go

wanted even the slightest bit

go out, she

said, "Go ahead.I

believe her ears.Brian

what I said before," he

are

won't be

of money in her account, she decided she would give

ready and to tell her sister to meet her

Ayla arrived at their

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

time on

brown hair fell in curls over her

dress and tasteful makeup.She looked

are you

hadn't seen each other for a long

was up to,

none of your business!"

Aren't you Brian's wife now? Look at yourself! Why are you dressed in such shabby clothes? Are you pretending to be poor so I'll stop asking

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

Ayla shook her head.

of me? Now that Dad is having such a big problem with his company, are you still living

don't need you meddling in my life! What I need is for you to give me more money," Arlene said angrily, putting down her cup so hard

handed her sister the

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

lot of money. That's all I have," said Ayla

deal with, Ayla would never turn her away,

have been left out on the streets to

Brian treating you badly? Doesn't he give you a large allowance? If he's that kind

stunned

people had said that Brian was the devil, and now Arlene was saying the same thing but instead of telling him to his face,

became the