The Substitute Bride: Making Memories Of Us (Lois Stone)

"What do you think? Mrs.Clark, are you satisfied?" said a voice from behind Ayla.

It was Brian.She turned to face him.Her expression was wary.

"Mr.Clark, what do you want?"

"What do you think?" Brian said softly, moving closer to her.

He lifted her chin, tilting her face so she had no choice but to meet his eyes.

"I can return to the entertainment club.I can keep washing dishes," Ayla offered.

Brian shook his head adamantly.

"No.You don't have to go back.Your sweetheart has spent a lot of money to get you out of that place and allow you to continue being Mrs.Clark.Do you want to let him down?" She said nothing.

Brian added, "So from now on, you live here.Get used to it."

He stepped back and turned away from her, walking into his own bedroom, which was the master room on the other side of the hallway.

As soon as he closed the door behind him, Ayla walked inside her room.

She gazed at the pretty purple bed sheets, the gauzy beige curtains, and the pure white wardrobe and dresser.

It was a lovely, feminine room.

She couldn't believe she would be living here.

She felt as though she didn't deserve this.

She wandered out to the private balcony, which overlooked the lawn.

She spent the rest of the afternoon seated on a lounge chair, enjoying the sunlight and the breeze and the gorgeous view of colorful flowers strewn over the grass.

The sun was setting when she heard a knock at the door.

"Come in," she called.

Maria entered.

"Mrs.Clark, dinner is ready," she said respectfully.

Ayla took a last look at the beautiful orange sky.She smiled to herself.

"Thanks, I'll be right down."

She entered the dining room to find Brian already seated at the head of the table, reading a newspaper.

She stopped near the doorway and said, "Hello, Mr.Clark."

He gave her an impatient look.

"Well, don't just stand there.Do you need me to invite you to sit down?"

He put down the newspaper beside him and gave her a cold look.

She hurried to the table and sat down.

The atmosphere in the dining room was so tense she didn't even dare to glance at him.

so scared,"

to have to get used

the sumptuous food prepared for them,

forced herself to finish the food so he wouldn't

to the living room, where there was a large-screen television mounted

that he was

him to stay at home like this, and as long as he was in there, she didn't want

up her plate, intending to take it to the kitchen, but Maria suddenly appeared

You can go and keep Mr.Clark

from her

can take

create opportunities for the two

brought Mrs.Clark back and arranged for

deep breath and

said softly, putting down the bowl of fruit on the table in front of

not used to living like this.She had so many questions, but she was

brought out a phone and handed it

"Here," he said.

your sweetheart and tell him how well

don't want to disturb

up her mind not

did not want to be the other woman

coolly

your duty now

did he

at him with

duty to endure his overbearing attitude and satisfy his needs?She found her situation helpless and painful,

anyone, she had to drag her aching body back to her

price she had to pay for her luxurious

the rest of the week, she could

stayed awake until dawn,

in his office, was feeling

long time since he negotiated

he'd gone to the entertainment club, the staff members there informed him that Lala was

had

not trust

that Lala would suffer, but he was willing to gamble

saw that Toby was

frowned, wondering if the woman had left because she

on her own that she would no longer be a third

towards

"Toby," she said.

called his name, he

he said, smiling

ignoring her, because his mind and heart were full

have some soup for you," she said, holding up a bag in

so hard these past weeks.Do you need to be working overtime so much? Dad and Mom hope you'll be able to

led him to the sofa and handed him

began drinking the warm soup.He said, "Don't worry.I'll

couldn't stop himself from loving Lala, he couldn't forget his duties towards Molly

day, while Ayla was helping to clean the villa, she considered her dream of returning

able to, but

she sat alone in the living room

mobile phone