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?”

furrowed her brow. After a moment, she let out

She remembered now.

had called Uncle

had ignored

uncles want

you come to look for me?” Lilly asked

men around the bed nodded vigorously. Bryson added, “Lilly, I’m your Uncle Bryson. We’re all here to take you back home with

a deep breath, then said, “That’s right. We’re here to take you home, Lilly. In the future, no one

of the

going to

would abandon her again once

they beat her and

silent she was, the Crawfords felt even more tense than

much experience handling children. One

Crawford boy; he was 40 years old and had two children. Liam, the

not very good at interacting with children; after hesitating for a moment, he asked bluntly, “Lilly, what are you

in his customary inflexible, rather harsh way, his siblings all glared at

coughed slightly in embarrassment. By nature, he was a taciturn person and found it difficult to say

was so thick one could cut

very tenderly caressed her hair. In as gentle a voice as he could muster, he asked, “Lilly darling, why don’t you

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

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

felt a dull ache in his heart. How had this child passed her days in the Hatcher

“Well then, Lilly, can you tell your Uncle

in his direction with an effort, staring at this person who called himself

her entire world had been so very dark but this man had broken through

she asked, “Uncle Gilbert…when we go

dumbfounded

child was asking if she was allowed to

could muster up a response, Lilly asked

words almost made Hugh

she would be starved and

sort of abuse had she

was half-starved and inadequately dressed

fright, and in summer no one would bother when she was drenched in sweat from the

blood so he could suppress the tears that threatened

they did not dare give vent to

one will hit you. Look, that’s your Uncle Anthony there. That one’s your Uncle Liam, and that’s your Uncle