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 the

kitchen and poured herself

Arlene, who had called just to ask her

sister very

that if Arlene didn't receive any money, she would just keep calling and calling until she got

the first time such

get money from Clayton, she would ask Ayla

to give her the bulk of the salary she

can I do?’'

even have the

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

He scowled.

way on purpose, pretending to be pitiful

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

grabbed the empty glass on the table and put it back down

up immediately, rubbing the sleep from her

cold face looking

"Mr.Clark," she said uneasily.

stood up, stepping

unconsciously putting distance

what

of

"No," Ayla said quickly.

was indeed afraid of

she had no choice but to face

he said, watching as she made sure not

chair, raising an eyebrow

her

"I would like to go out

wanted even the slightest bit

order to go out,

said, "Go ahead.I won't

her ears.Brian had

remember what I

go out if you want, but you are not allowed to go out with other

be out

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

room to get ready and to tell her sister to meet her at a

Ayla arrived at their

and she snapped, "Finally,

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

hair fell in curls over her

wore a gorgeous dress and tasteful

are you doing?"

seen each other for

what Arlene was up to, or why she needed

your business!" said Arlene, sounding

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

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

Ayla shook her head.

of me? Now that Dad is having

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

Ayla handed her sister

disgust at the total amount

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

to deal with, Ayla would never turn her away, because of the gratitude she felt towards the Woodsen family for adopting

left out

that kind of man, it's fortunate I didn't marry him.By the

stunned

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

reason why she became the substitute bride