*~~Chapter One Hundred and Seventy-Seven~~*

{~~Logan Grey~~}

I awoke to the gentle pressure of tiny fingers poking at my arm and the soft giggles of an infant filling the air. I smiled before I even opened my eyes, savoring the sweet sound of Hope’s laughter-- or what could be considered laughter. It was like sunshine on a cloudy day, her joy infectious. I sat up slowly, my muscles still heavy with sleep, and blinked in the dim light of the room.

There on the blanket, Avery was sitting with Hope, gently bouncing her on her knee. She glanced at me over her shoulder, her expression unreadable but with a hint of something that made my smile fade just a little. There was a worry in her eyes that I couldn’t ignore. I stretched my arms out, shaking off the last vestiges of sleep, but my mind was already focusing on her. Something was off, and I could feel it in the way she kept glancing at me as if debating whether or not to say something.

The rain was pounding outside, hammering against the windows in a constant rhythm. It sounded h