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

She remembered now.

called Uncle

ignored her

her uncles want

look for me?”

added, “Lilly, I’m your Uncle Bryson.

We’re here to take you home, Lilly. In the future, no one

of the men

to take her

wasn’t sure if they would abandon her again once they

beat her

the Crawfords

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

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

good at interacting with children; after hesitating for a

inflexible, rather harsh way, his siblings all glared

nature, he was a taciturn person and found

air was so thick one could

very tenderly caressed her hair. In as gentle a voice

for a while before

need a proper name; they’d discuss that when her stepmother gave birth to her

what Mommy named her. She didn’t

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

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

his direction with an effort, staring at this

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

Gilbert…when we go home, am I…am I allowed to

the Crawfords were dumbfounded when they heard

asking if she was allowed

response, Lilly asked

four words

little girl was afraid she

sort of abuse had she endured in the Hatcher

inadequately dressed for

with her when she awoke in fright, and in summer no one

drew blood so he could suppress the tears that

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

and took 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 your Uncle Anthony there. That one’s your Uncle Liam, and that’s your Uncle Bryson…All of them are tough, strong men. All of us will