83. Off Balance

Over the following weeks, the serene atmosphere of the pack house was shattered by Ashleigh's relentless cries. The once calm and orderly home turned into a realm of sleepless nights and weary days.

By the fifth day, Gideon and Avla resembled nothing more than walking shadows, their movements sluggish and mechanical, their eyes reflecting the profound exhaustion of caring for a constantly crying child.

Ashleigh seemed inconsolable. No matter what Avla or Gideon tried, her cries pierced the walls of the pack house, creating a tension that hung in the air like a thick fog. Ashleigh's small face was often scrunched in discomfort. Her tiny fists clenched as if grappling with an unseen adversary. Despite their best efforts, soothing her seemed an almost impossible task.

Amid this chaos, Avery's world was turning upside down. The once cheerful and playful child became increasingly clingy, her bright eyes often filled with confusion and distress at the unending cries of her new sibling. Whe