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.

were dark except for a dim yellow light in

the kitchen and poured herself a drink of water, feeling

thoughts turned to Arlene, who had called just to ask her for

her sister

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

time such a

couldn't get money

had no choice but to give her the bulk of the salary she earned

can I do?’' she

didn't even have the energy to return

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

He scowled.

acting this way on purpose, pretending to be pitiful so

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

table and put

sound roused Ayla, who sat up immediately,

saw the cold face looking down

"Mr.Clark," she said uneasily.

up, stepping

was unconsciously putting distance between

what she

of water, he

"No," Ayla said quickly.

was, she was indeed afraid of

but to face him no matter how

you doing?" he said, watching as

the furthest chair, raising an eyebrow at her

her

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

the slightest

go out, she

ahead.I won't stop

believe her ears.Brian

I said before,"

if you want, but you are not

be out

and although there was not a lot of money in her

her room to get ready and to tell her sister to

at

was already waiting, and she snapped, "Finally, you're

on greetings

in

and tasteful makeup.She looked very

are you doing?"

other

what Arlene was up to, or why she needed

your business!" said Arlene,

now? Look at yourself! Why are you dressed in such shabby clothes? Are you pretending to be poor so I'll stop asking you for

coffee, glancing with disdain at Ayla's

Ayla shook her head.

is having such a big problem with his company, are

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 that coffee splashed

handed her sister the

looking with disgust at the

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

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

left

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

froze, stunned and

was saying the same thing but instead of telling him to his face, they avoided

reason why she became the substitute bride of her