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.

a dim yellow

kitchen and poured herself a

thoughts turned to Arlene, who had called just to

her sister very well,

didn't receive any money, she would just keep calling

was not the first time such a

Arlene couldn't get money from Clayton,

give her the bulk of the salary she earned

I

was so tired she didn't even have the energy to return to

next morning, when Brian went downstairs, he saw Ayla fast asleep on the table, her head

He scowled.

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

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

the table and put it back down with

sound roused Ayla, who sat up immediately, rubbing the sleep from

the cold face looking down at

"Mr.Clark," she said uneasily.

stood up, stepping away

unconsciously putting distance

saw what

poured himself a glass of water, he

"No," Ayla said quickly.

truth was, she was

had no choice but to face him no matter

you doing?" he said, watching as she made

the furthest chair, raising an eyebrow at her

her hands

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

the slightest bit

order to go out, she

ahead.I

couldn't believe her ears.Brian had agreed without hesitation!

remember what I

can go out if you want, but you are not allowed to

won't be out

not a lot of money in

ready and to tell her sister

Ayla arrived at their meeting

waiting, and she

waste any time on greetings or catching up with

brown hair fell in

a gorgeous dress and tasteful makeup.She looked

are you doing?" Ayla

other for a

was up to, or why she

your business!" said Arlene,

such shabby clothes? Are you pretending to

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

Ayla shook her head.

Now that Dad is having such

I need is for you to give me more money," Arlene said angrily, putting down her cup so hard that coffee splashed onto

handed her sister the

Arlene, looking with disgust at the total amount

my sister, I don't have a lot of money.

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

she would have been left out on the

large allowance? If he's that kind of man, it's fortunate I didn't marry him.By the

stunned

devil, and now Arlene was saying the same thing but instead of

she became the substitute