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

She remembered now.

called Uncle Gilbert’s

ignored her

uncles

to look for me?” Lilly

bed nodded vigorously. Bryson added, “Lilly, I’m your Uncle

home, Lilly. In the future, no one will dare to bully you or harass you. If anyone

each of the men

to take

abandon her again once

they beat her and

she was, the Crawfords felt

handling children. One by

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

hesitating for a moment, he asked bluntly, “Lilly, what are

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

was a taciturn person and found

air was so thick

bed and 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

name; they’d discuss that when her stepmother gave birth

named her. She

a dull ache in his heart. How had this child

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

an effort, staring at this person who called himself

her entire world had been so very dark but this man had broken through that darkness like a

“Uncle Gilbert…when we go home, am I…am I

were dumbfounded when they heard

was allowed to

they could muster up a response, Lilly asked again in a tiny voice, “Will you

simple four words almost

little girl was afraid she would

of abuse had she endured in

and inadequately dressed

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

biting his lip until he almost drew blood so he could suppress the tears that threatened

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

out 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