With a thoughtful expression, he looked up at the woman and asked, “You’re his aunt?” The woman nodded, her gaze steady. “Yes, that’s correct,” she confirmed. “His mother couldn’t make the trip, so I’m accompanying him instead.” This revelation injected a new layer of complexity into the situation, leaving everyone present on edge, awaiting the next turn of events.
“You see, he gets anxious, especially in places like this,” the woman continued, her explanation unfolding a narrative far different from what Carole and her colleagues had initially imagined. The tension in Carole’s chest eased slightly as she listened, realizing the complexity of the situation. How could she have misinterpreted it so drastically?