Eight Uncles' Beloved Treasure (Lily)

Chapter 4 Would They Abandon Her Again?

Stephen went around the hospital looking for people, trying to find out what was going on. However, everyone he encountered told him that they did not know what was happening either.

By now, the Hatchers were so cold they were shivering uncontrollably in the icy corridor. The Crawfords would not see them either. It was becoming unbearable to wait there.

Paula was the first to admit defeat. “I’m going to see Debbie…”

Debbie was also warded at this hospital, but she was in the maternity wing.

Stephen and Richard could not stand it any longer either, but they did not want to leave so they had no choice but to keep on waiting in the interminable cold…

Incessant complaints filled their minds. They had no idea, however, that this was only the beginning of their troubles!

…

Lilly could hear the quiet beeping of machines around her. There were also people talking, but very indistinctly.

However, there was one voice in particular that was very clear.

“Lilly…Lilly dear…hey, little Tulip! You have to wake up soon, okay? If you don’t, I’ll…”

Lilly felt as if a small swarm of bees was buzzing beside her ear and chattering to her. It was just a little bit tiresome.

Who was this person talking to her?

Lilly’s eyelids fluttered slightly and she finally opened her eyes, only to see a snowy-white wall right in front of her.

A group of people surrounded her bed. Pursing her lips, she carefully scrutinized them.

Gilbert reacted enthusiastically; he was also the first to speak. “Lilly! You’re awake now! I’m your Uncle Gilbert…”

The rest of the Crawfords did not even dare to breathe; they watched Lilly tensely.

Lilly found herself at a loss. “Uncle Gilbert?”

Her pretty little face was expressionless and wooden. She looked just like a fragile porcelain doll.

It sounded as if she were repeating a foreign phrase.

Hugh’s mouth tightened into a hard line. Lilly was very thin; she was so tiny that the hospital bed seemed very large.

It hurt to see her like that, so much so that it was hard to breathe.

Gilbert spoke more gently. “Lilly, I’m your mother’s brother. My name is Gilbert. You telephoned me earlier, do you remember?”

a moment,

She remembered now.

had called Uncle Gilbert’s

had ignored

her uncles want

you…did you come to look for me?” Lilly asked in a thread

vigorously. Bryson added, “Lilly, I’m your Uncle Bryson. We’re all here to take you

“That’s right. We’re here to take you home, Lilly. In the future, no one will dare to

of

were going to

they would abandon her again

beat her and

how silent she was, the Crawfords felt even more

them had much experience handling children. One by one, they looked at Anthony

was 40 years old and had two children. Liam, the second son, was 38 and also

with children; after hesitating for a moment, he asked bluntly, “Lilly, what are

his customary inflexible, rather harsh way, his siblings

coughed slightly in embarrassment. By nature, he was a taciturn person and

the air was so thick one could cut

as gentle a voice as he could muster, he asked, “Lilly darling, why don’t you tell us all what your

the ceiling in silence for a while before

had told her that she didn’t need a proper name; they’d discuss that

what Mommy named her. She didn’t have any other name

in his heart. How had this child passed

“Well then, Lilly, can you tell your Uncle

finally turned her gaze in his direction with an effort, staring at this person who called himself her Uncle

had been so very dark but this man had

trembled slightly and she asked, “Uncle Gilbert…when we go home, am I…am

dumbfounded when they heard

if she was allowed to eat when she arrived

Lilly asked again in a tiny voice,

simple four words almost

afraid she would

of abuse had she endured in the

was half-starved and inadequately dressed for

would be there with her when she awoke in fright, and in summer no one would bother when she was drenched in sweat from

so he

enraged they clenched their fists tightly. However, they did not dare give vent to their anger for fear of

“Lilly darling, when we go home, you can eat whatever you want, and no one will hit you. Look, that’s your Uncle Anthony there. That one’s your Uncle Liam, and that’s your Uncle Bryson…All of them are tough, strong men.