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

Chapter 21: Pay The Price 

Brian's eyebrows knitted in a frown.

Was Arlene walking back home because she had no money? It was hard to believe that the daughter of the Woodsen family had a crisis of money.

Maria and Ayla's conversation confused both Brian and Jaime.

However, Brian only glared at her and said nothing.

His icy stare made Ayla shiver.

She lowered her eyes and said, "Mr.Clark, I won't come back this late next time."

Ayla was so disappointed of her misfortune today.Her intention of going out today went down in vain.She couldn't tell anything to Toby.

Brian's eyebrows furrowed.

"There will be no next time.If it happens again, you don't have to come back."

Brian was astonished of her patience and energy.

It was so late and she was wandering around the road alone.How did she even think that she could walk herself back to home?

Ayla didn't say anything.

She just lowered her head and watched Brian walk into the main villa.

Jaime gave her a curious look before he drove away.

Meanwhile, Molly practically dragged Toby back to her house.

It was rare for Hayden Smith and Miley Jones to see their daughter and future son-in-law come home together.

"Dad, Mom! See, Today I brought Toby along with me," said Molly with a smile.

She held Toby's arm closely and pulled him down to sit on the sofa beside her.

The servant immediately served two cups of tea and fruits.

"You two went shopping? Why did you buy so many things?"

Miley noticed the driver bring in more than ten shopping bags.

"Mom, don't come at me.I bought some for you too! See? I'm a good daughter," said Molly, grinning.

"Of course, you are! Tara, bring some soup for Molly and Toby," Miley ordered the servant.

"Mom, let Toby live here tonight, please?"

Molly leaned her head against Toby's shoulder and pleaded to Miley.

Toby however, wasn't feeling good.

He was so worried for Lala.

Since she ran away like that, it had been bugging him.

In fact, he doubted that Molly had said something to her, but he couldn't question Molly.

Everything he had now was given by the Smith family.

If he left the Smith family, he would lose everything he had achieved.

"That's for you to decide.As elders, we can't interfere."

Although the wedding date hadn't been decided yet, the two of them had been engaged.

But Toby didn't want to stay.

He thought for excuses to refuse her offer and leave the villa.

But he couldn't manage any and thus had to spend the night in the villa.

When Molly walked out of the bathroom wearing a silk nightgown, she saw Toby standing in front of the window, staring at the darkness of night.

He had a glass of wine in his hand.

She walked forward and placed her slender arms around his waist and said, "Toby, let's get married early! She wasn't sure why he was delaying their marriage.But after seeing that girl named Ayla today, she understood the real reason.

Toby turned around and focused on Molly.

"Molly, didn't we already decide that we would talk about it next year?"

"It's autumn now.Won't it be nice if we get married before the next year?" Molly looked into his eyes worriedly.

"Toby, don't you like me anymore?"

"What? No, it's not like that! Molly, how could I not like you? Why are you saying that?"

Toby reached forward and caressed her hair softly and said, "It's getting late.Go to sleep now.I have something else to deal with."

Holding his waist tightly, Molly shook her head.

"No! I won't let you go.Can't you take care of your work at office tomorrow? Am I not more important than your business? I'm your fiancee!"

Toby never regarded her like his fiancee.

This was very unfair.

"Okay.I won't work tonight if that makes you happy." Toby agreed.

Molly took him to the bed and the two of them lay side by side.

However, Toby was still thinking about Lala, and it was evident from his expression.

Molly wasn't a fool.

She could see and understand what he might be thinking.

But she refused to accept defeat.

She'd do everything to keep this man by her side.

"Toby, I really love you.Don't you love me?"

Molly scooted closer to him and rested her head on his chest.

Caressing his cheeks, she asked softly.

Toby touched her face as well. Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

"Of course I love you, Molly."

Meeting Molly and saving her from that accident wasn't really his plan.

In fact, because of this accident only, he became the Deputy CEO of the Smith Group.

But Ayla was still there in his heart.

He had loved her since childhood and promised her a loving future.

"Then why don't you want to be closer to me?"

Molly wrapped her hands around his waist.

She wanted to be closer to him.

He was a normal man, and he had responsibilities towards his fiancee.

But his behavior very much differed from being responsible, and he knew it.

But now, to provide Lala a secured future, he had to do it.

Toby turned sideways and pulled Molly in a spooning position tenderly.

They lay there in each other's arms, soaked in the beautiful moonlight that seeped through the open window.

Toby had promised to make this woman his wife.

He couldn't back off now.Would this marriage take a lifetime of compromise?

Shortly, Toby fell asleep while thinking about his unsure future.

But Molly was still awake.

She studied his sleeping face and wondered whether he regretted his decision.

Who the hell was that woman who wanted to steal him from her? She would figure it out.

Back in the Clark villa, Ayla fell asleep as soon as she lay down on her bed.

She was so tired of everything that happened that day.

When she woke up the next day, it was already nine o'clock in the morning.

She hurriedly left her room and on the way to kitchen, saw Brian sitting in the living room with a newspaper in his hand.

"Mr.Clark, I'm sorry.I overslept."

Although Brian heard her, he ignored Ayla and continued reading the newspaper.

Ayla hesitated for a while before quietly asking, "Mr.Clark, can I please continue my school?"

"No, you can't."

Brian put down the newspaper hastily and glared at her.

"You are not allowed to go anywhere without my permission.Have you already forgotten my order? Don't even try to sneak out of the villa."

He had started to doubt her identity.

Until he investigated and confirmed her real identity, he wouldn't allow her to leave the villa.

"Okay, I understand." Ayla nodded calmly.

She had no choice but to accept his every order.

If she displeased him, her future would be more difficult to live under the same roof as him.

Brian thought for a while before saying, "If you want to go out, you can come with me."

"No, thanks.It's alright."

Even if she died while staying as a prisoner in the villa, she would never go out along with him.

Because that would only make her want to die sooner.

As the day progressed, Brian went to his office and concentrated on his work.

Jaime came in after a while.

"Mr.Clark."

"Jaime, what's the matter?"

Brian looked up at him.

"This is an invitation for the 20th anniversary of the Smith Group.Are you going to attend it?"

Jaime handed him an invitation card.

Brian took it but didn't open it.

He threw it on the desk and asked Jaime, "The Smith Group? Next Friday?"

The name of the company reminded him of something.

Wasn't it the group where Toby worked? Without thinking much, he consented.

"Make arrangements.I'll go."

He seldom attended such kind of parties.

But this time he agreed without hesitation.Why did he accept the invitation so quickly?

"Mr.Clark, should I ask Anna to accompany you?" Jaime asked since Brian said nothing more.

When Brian heard Jaime's suggestion, he raised his head at him.

He thought for a moment, then said, "No.I'll take Arlene to the party this time.Arrange a gorgeous dress for her to go to the banquet."

He would take her to her old lover and see how the two would meet and greet each other.

Although Jaime wasn't happy, he did as Brian ordered.

But if Anna got to know about it, she would be hurt.

The Woodsen family's daughter was such a cunning woman.

She not only pretended to be pure and pitiful, she was now affecting Mr.Clark as well.

Jaime could only hope that Mr.Clark would not fall in love with Arlene.

Such women we’re crooked and knew how to foolmen.