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 out a soft

She remembered now.

Uncle

had ignored

her uncles want

look for me?” Lilly asked in a thread of

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

deep breath, then said, “That’s right. We’re here to take you home, Lilly. In

each of

were going to

sure if they would abandon

her and starve

she was, the Crawfords felt

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

boy; he was 40 years old and had two

after hesitating for a moment, he asked bluntly, “Lilly,

in his customary inflexible, rather harsh way, his

was a taciturn person and found it difficult

the air was so thick one

to Lilly’s bed and very tenderly caressed her hair. In as gentle a voice

the ceiling in silence for a while before replying, “I don’t have

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

named her. She didn’t

this child passed her

asked, “Well then, Lilly, can you tell your Uncle Gilbert what you’re

turned her gaze in his direction with an effort, staring at this person

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

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

Crawfords were dumbfounded when they

she was allowed to eat when she arrived

up a response, Lilly asked again in a

simple four words almost made

was afraid she would be starved and

abuse had she

and inadequately dressed for

she awoke in fright, and in summer no one would

until he almost drew blood so he could suppress the tears that threatened to

Crawford brothers were so enraged they clenched their fists tightly. However, they did not

Lilly’s tiny 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