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

Chapter 33: Nothing But Contempt 

"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. This belongs © NôvelDra/ma.Org.

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.

All the rooms were dark except for a dim yellow light in the living room.

She went quietly to the kitchen and poured herself a drink of water, feeling dazed.

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

She knew her sister very well, too.

Ayla knew that if Arlene didn't receive any money, she would just keep calling and calling until she got her way.

It was not the first time such a thing had happened.

In the past, when Arlene couldn't get money from Clayton, she would ask Ayla instead.

Ayla had no choice but to give her the bulk of the salary she earned by working.

‘'What can I do?’' she thought.

She was so tired she didn't even have the energy to return to her bedroom.

The next morning, when Brian went downstairs, he saw Ayla fast asleep on the table, her head buried in her arms.

He scowled.

‘'She's acting this way on purpose, pretending to be pitiful so I feel sorry for her” he thought irritably.

‘'She has a comfortable room just upstairs.There's no reason for her to sleep in the dining room.”

He grabbed the empty glass on the table and put it back down with a heavy thud.

The sound roused Ayla, who sat up immediately, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

She saw the cold face looking down at her.

"Mr.Clark," she said uneasily.

She stood up, stepping away from the table.

She was unconsciously putting distance between them.

Brian saw what she was doing.

As he poured himself a glass of water, he asked, "Am I so frightening?"

"No," Ayla said quickly.

The truth was, she was indeed afraid of him.

However, she had no choice but to face him no matter how great her fear was.

"Then what are you doing?" he said, watching as she made sure not to get anywhere near him.

He deliberately sat down in the furthest chair, raising an eyebrow at her hesitant expression.

Ayla twisted her hands together.

Unexpectedly she said, "I would like to go out today.May I leave the villa?"

She wanted even the slightest bit of freedom.

But in order to go out, she had to obtain his permission.

He said, "Go ahead.I won't stop you."

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

"But remember what I said before," he warned.

"You can go out if you want, but you are not allowed to go out with other men." Ayla nodded.

"I won't be out for long."

She had a bankbook, and although there was not a lot of money in her account, she decided she would give the remaining balance to Arlene.

She went to her room to get ready and to tell her sister to meet her at a coffee shop.

Soon, Ayla arrived at their meeting place.

Arlene was already waiting, and she snapped, "Finally, you're here.Where's the money?"

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

Arlene's brown hair fell in curls over her shoulders.

She wore a gorgeous dress and tasteful makeup.She looked very beautiful.

"Arlene, how are you doing?" Ayla asked.

They hadn't seen each other for a long time.

Ayla had no idea what Arlene was up to, or why she needed money.

"It's none of your business!" said Arlene, sounding aggravated.

"Anyway, Aren't you Brian's wife 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 money?"

Arlene took a sip of her coffee, glancing with disdain at Ayla's simple outfit.

Ayla shook her head.

"Why do you always think the worst of me? Now that Dad is having such a big problem with his company, are you still living elsewhere?"

"I don't need 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 onto the table.

Wordlessly, Ayla handed her sister the bankbook.

"Is this all?" said Arlene, looking with disgust at the total amount she would receive.

"I told you, my sister, I don't have a lot of money. That's all I have," said Ayla patiently.

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

Otherwise, she would have been left out on the streets to starve.

Arlene suddenly said, "Is Brian treating you badly? Doesn't he give you a large allowance? If he's that kind of man, it's fortunate I didn't marry him.By the way, have you had sex with him?"

Ayla froze, stunned and humiliated.

A lot of people had said that Brian was the devil, and now Arlene was saying the same thing but instead of telling him to his face, they avoided him.

Was this the reason why she became the substitute bride of her sister?

"I see," said Arlene, smirking at the look on Ayla's face.

"Well, don't become bitter, Ayla.In the end it's still good to have a man.Just try to enjoy yourself!"

Without saying goodbye, she stood and walked out of the coffee shop, leaving her half-empty cup of coffee on the table.

For a long time, Ayla just sat there, miserable and lost in thought.

Finally, with a heavy sigh, she decided it was time to return to the villa.

On her way out, she ran into Molly and another well-dressed, wealthy-looking woman as they were entering the coffee shop.

"Ms.Woodsen, what a coincidence! Are you here for coffee alone or waiting for someone?" asked Molly spitefully.

She glared at Ayla, recalling the words she'd said to her the last time they met.

She thought, '’This woman should be embarrassed to run into me in public! But of course, she's shameless…”

"I was just leaving," Ayla said, flushing.

She thought, '’Molly must be very happy now.I wonder if Toby is also doing well?”

If so, that was enough for her, Ayla decided.

"Oh? Really?" drawled Molly, wrinkling her nose.

"Are you about to go and meet some man? Or perhaps you already did."

Smiling coldly at Ayla, Molly took the arm of her mother, Miley, and guided her to a nearby seat.

Miley turned to look at Ayla's receding figure as she left.

"Molly, how did you come to know a woman like that?" she asked her daughter.

"Mom, stop," Molly groaned as they sat down.

"I have nothing but contempt for that bitch. Let's not ruin the day by talking about her."

Molly gestured for a waitress to come over so they could place their orders.

As long as Toby stayed with her, she wouldn't give a damn about that bitch.

He had been going to the villa every day to spend time with her recently.

Well, what more could she ask for? Meanwhile, Ayla headed for the nearest bus station.

But instead of catching a ride, she just stayed in the station, feeling gloomy.

It was a cloudy day, and soon, it began raining heavily.

Ayla brought out her cell phone and opened the contact list.

There was only one number saved on her phone.

She took a deep breath and thought, ‘'I have to stop moping around.I need to face my circumstances as bravely as I can.”

Before she could dial the number, the phone rang.It was Brian.

As soon as she answered, she heard his furious voice on the other end of the line.

"Where are you? Why aren't you back yet?"

"I...I'm at the bus station.I'm on my way back to the villa right now," she replied.

Ayla realized that she had been outside for much longer than she'd originally intended.

But it still wasn't enough.

Even now, she wished she could stay out here just a bit longer, so she could breathe freely.

The villa was palatial and luxurious, but she did not feel at home in that place.

It might resemble a castle, but to her, it was a prison.Inside, she was completely at Brian's mercy.

"Which bus station?" Brian demanded.

She told him.

Soon, she caught sight of Brian's car speeding towards her in the rain.It came to a stop beside her.