Aldo I can’t stop loving you. Can’t stop hoping. Layla’s voice drifted through my mind. Like a dream. And it must have been, because the real Layla never would have said something like that to me. Her face blurred in front of my eyes. I hate you for making me love you. Well, that was more like the Layla I knew. I winced—and pain shot through my body. Why was I in pain? And for that matter, where was I? A faint hum reached my ears. Followed by a distant beeping—like it was coming through a fog or a long distance. I tried to focus on that sound, like a lifeline to pull me through the fog. It grew louder. Louder. Beep, beep, beep. I love you, Aldo. And I think I always will. But I couldn’t see Layla’s face anymore. I blinked—and blinding white light filled my vision. I blinked again

