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 let out a soft

She remembered now.

had called Uncle Gilbert’s

had ignored

uncles

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

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

throat. He drew a deep breath, then said, “That’s right. We’re here to take you home, Lilly. In the future, no one will dare to bully you or harass you. If anyone tries,

looked at each of the

were going to

abandon

beat her and

how silent she was, the Crawfords felt even more tense than

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

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

interacting with children; after hesitating for a moment, he asked bluntly,

said this in his customary inflexible, rather harsh way, his siblings

By nature, he was a

so thick one could cut it with

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

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

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

Mommy named her. She didn’t

a dull ache in his heart. How had this child passed

asked, “Well then, Lilly, can you

effort, staring at

day, her entire world had been so very dark but this man had broken through that darkness like a ray of light and rescued

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

were dumbfounded when they heard

asking if she was allowed to

up a response, Lilly asked

simple four words almost made

little girl was afraid she would be starved and

of abuse had she

was half-starved and inadequately

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

almost drew blood so he could suppress the tears that threatened to spill down his

Crawford brothers were so enraged they clenched their fists tightly. However, they did not dare give vent to their anger

hand, placing it against his cheek. Hoarsely, he murmured, “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