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?”

brow. After a moment, she let out

She remembered now.

called Uncle

ignored her

uncles want

for me?” Lilly asked in a thread

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

something were constricting his 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, your Grandpa Hugh will have something to say about

of

to

if they would abandon her again once they brought her

her and

silent she was, the Crawfords

experience handling children. One by one,

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

good at interacting with children; after hesitating for

rather harsh way, his siblings all glared

was a taciturn person and found it difficult

was so thick one could cut

He inched closer to Lilly’s bed and very tenderly caressed her hair. In as gentle a voice as he could muster, he asked, “Lilly darling, why don’t you tell

in silence for a while before replying, “I

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

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

his heart. How had this child passed her

anger, he asked, “Well then, Lilly, can you tell your Uncle Gilbert

with an effort, staring at this

so very dark but this man had broken through that darkness like a ray

“Uncle Gilbert…when

the Crawfords were dumbfounded when

was allowed to eat

Lilly asked

simple four words almost

was afraid she would be

she endured in the Hatcher

inadequately

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

he almost drew blood so he could suppress

so enraged they clenched their fists tightly. However, they did not dare give

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,