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?”

her brow. After a moment, she let

She remembered now.

Uncle Gilbert’s

had ignored her

her uncles want

look for me?” Lilly asked in

Bryson added, “Lilly, I’m your Uncle Bryson. We’re

take you home, Lilly. In the future, no one will dare to bully

each of

going to take

wasn’t sure if they would abandon her again once they brought her

her and

the Crawfords felt even more

handling children. One by one, they looked at Anthony and

the eldest Crawford boy; he was 40 years old and had two children. Liam, the second son, was 38 and also

interacting with children; after hesitating for a moment,

inflexible, rather

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

so thick

sigh. He inched closer to Lilly’s bed and very tenderly caressed her hair. In as gentle a voice as he could

silence for a while before replying, “I don’t have any other name

they’d discuss that when her stepmother gave birth

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

child passed her days

asked, “Well then, Lilly, can you tell your

an effort, staring at this

this man had broken through that darkness like a

asked, “Uncle Gilbert…when we go home, am I…am I allowed

the Crawfords were dumbfounded when they heard

child was asking if she was allowed

they could muster up a response, Lilly asked again in a tiny voice,

four words almost made Hugh

afraid she would

sort of abuse had she endured in the

and inadequately dressed for the

would be there with her when she awoke in fright, and in summer no

away, biting his lip until he almost drew blood so he could

fists tightly. However, they did not dare give vent to their

“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. All of us will protect you and no one