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?”

moment, she let out

She remembered now.

called Uncle Gilbert’s

had ignored

her uncles

you come to look for me?” Lilly asked in

I’m your Uncle Bryson. We’re all here to take you

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

of the men

to

would abandon

her and

silent she was, the Crawfords felt even more tense than

much experience handling children. One by one, they looked at Anthony

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

interacting with children; after hesitating for a moment, he asked bluntly, “Lilly, what are you

rather

was a

air was so thick one could cut it with

a

at the ceiling in silence for a while before replying,

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

had been what Mommy named her. She didn’t have

in his heart. How had this child passed her days in the Hatcher household without even

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

in his direction with an effort, staring at this person

this man had broken through that darkness

mouth trembled slightly and she asked, “Uncle Gilbert…when we go home, am

dumbfounded when

she was allowed to eat when

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

simple four words

afraid she would be

she endured in the

was half-starved and inadequately dressed for

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

turned away, biting his lip until he almost drew blood so he could suppress the tears

tightly. However, they did not dare give vent to their anger for fear of

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