Filed to story: Eight Uncles Beloved Treasure
Anthony was back at the office, while Liam and Edward went to the police station to handle the aftermath.
God only knew where the others had gone, as only Jonas sat at the dinner table in a casual T-shirt and jeans, sipping his coffee.
He glanced at Lilly’s bare feet and said, “Come here.”
Lilly greeted her uncle before Jonas picked her up and placed her in the chair next to him.
She asked Bettany, “Granny, did the boy from yesterday wake up yet?”
Bettany replied, “I don’t know… Let me make a phone call.”
Lilly nodded.
Leaning back in his chair, Jonas pushed his golden-framed glasses up and chuckled. “Are you so concerned about him, kiddo?”
Tch. The Crawford family had only just reunited with their precious girl, and now a boy had captured her heart?
Lilly looked at her uncle.
While Jonas was handsome, he appeared sinister when he smiled.
“Uncle Jonas, saving a life is a pathway to heaven, did you know that?” Lilly earnestly replied, applying her knowledge to real life.
She dreamt about the boy and wondered if he was dead or alive…
Jonas burst into laughter before casually pouring Lilly a glass of milk from the jug. He then slid a plate of breakfast across the table to her.
“Eat.”
His slender finger tapped the table, urging Lilly to eat faster.
With her stomach rumbling, Lilly could feel her hunger. She picked up a piece of toast and took a bite.
Bettany returned and said, “Oh, Lilly. I just called and heard that Ivan still hasn’t woken up.”
The old lady sighed.
Not only was the boy still unconscious, but it was said that he had also stopped breathing this morning. He was rushed to the emergency room…
…
On the top floor of a private hospital across the city, Colton stood outside the emergency room, pursing his lips as he gazed out the window.
Sitting beside him was a woman. The woman stood up shortly after and paced outside the emergency room. She was Ivan’s mother, Melody.
Colton hesitated before awkwardly trying to console her. “Don’t worry. Everything will be alright.”
Contrary to her name, Melody was impatient by nature. She snapped irritably, “My son is in there. How can I not worry?”
Colton had no words.
He quietly rubbed his nose.
Just then, the door of the operating theater swung open. The doctor emerged with a solemn expression.
“Mr. and Mrs. Shaw, we did our best…”
Melody’s legs went weak, and Colton held her up, embracing her tightly.
In a trembling voice, Melody said, “No way…”
The doctor shook his head. “You need to prepare yourselves for the worst.”
Ivan had lost a significant amount of blood and was taken to the hospital. They had given him a blood transfusion.
However, despite his stable vitals, his breathing became weaker.
“We have conducted all the necessary tests, but the reports showed no abnormalities… Ivan’s face is turning blue, as if he has been poisoned, but the test results indicated no presence of toxins in his system.
“There is no explanation for his sudden weight loss. He weighed 60 pounds when he arrived last night, but now he only weighs 50 pounds…”
The doctors were puzzled and couldn’t determine where the ten pounds had disappeared to.
It was a condition that had never been seen or heard of before…
“I would suggest bringing Ivan home and making final arrangements so that he can spend his last moments in comfort…”
This was the doctor’s last recommendation, even though Colton may hold influence in Clodston. However, the doctor knew that the child was beyond saving.
Not even God could save him.
It would be better for the boy to pass away at home rather than suffer in the hospital with tubes attached to him.
Tears streamed down Melody’s face.
Colton pursed his lips as he recalled Lilly’s words.
“He has a rare illness. If he doesn’t wake up, you must come find me…”
Having made his decision, Colton said, “Come on. Let’s take Ivan back.”
Melody was devastated…
The boy was wheeled out of the operating theater.
His pale lips and hollow cheeks drained the youth from the seven-year-old child.
Melody choked back sobs. “Ivan, Mommy is taking you home.”
If he couldn’t be saved, so be it. The little boy had tubes protruding from his body and lay alone on the operating table.
It was already difficult enough for the boy.
As the car drove away, Colton turned a corner and headed towards the Crawfords’ family home.
Melody held Ivan tightly, consumed by anguish and paying no attention to the car’s destination.
A phone call came in, and Colton tapped the button to answer. Karen’s exasperated voice came from the other end of the line.
“Where are you taking Ivan, Colt?”
Colton replied in a flat tone, “The doctor said they can’t help Ivan, so I’m taking him to the Crawfords.”
He informed his mother about what Lilly had said to him the day before.
Karen was Ivan’s grandmother and a rather superstitious old lady.
She took superstition to the extreme, even going as far as dining only at auspicious times.
Nevertheless, Colton’s response only further infuriated her. “What’s the point of seeking help from a little girl? What does she know? I found a practitioner, so come back now with Ivan.”
Colton scowled. Karen had sought many practitioners, but they were later revealed to be frauds.
He replied, “That won’t be necessary.”
Melody unintentionally eavesdropped on Karen’s loud voice coming from the phone.
“What do you mean it won’t be necessary? I’m telling you to come home now! I have Master Sullivan here. Do you know who Master Sullivan is? He’s not someone who can easily be invited. Master Sullivan has reached the pinnacle of spiritualism. Do you get it? You’d rather believe a little girl than a true practitioner.”
Colton faintly responded, “I’m hanging up.”
He ended the call.
