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

She remembered now.

Uncle Gilbert’s

ignored her

uncles

me?” Lilly asked in a

vigorously. Bryson added, “Lilly, I’m your Uncle Bryson. We’re

if 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

looked at each of the men in

going to

sure if they would abandon her again once

her

she was, the Crawfords felt even more

children. One by one, they looked at Anthony

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

hesitating for a moment, he asked

inflexible, rather harsh way, his siblings all glared at

coughed slightly in embarrassment. By nature, he was a taciturn person and found

so thick

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

silence for a while before replying,

didn’t need a proper name; they’d discuss that when her stepmother gave birth to

had been 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 Gilbert what you’re thinking right

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

world had been so very dark but this man had broken

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

dumbfounded when they

if she was

response, Lilly asked again

four words

afraid she would be starved

sort of abuse had she endured in

and inadequately dressed for

be there with her when she awoke in fright, and in summer no one would bother when she was drenched in sweat from the

his lip until he almost drew blood so he could suppress

fists tightly. However, they did not

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 protect you and no one