Belinda looked at Ellinor with a mix of frustration and concern. âI know youâre upset, and you just want to vent at Uncle. But we havenât found him yet. Veronica and I, weâre just worried youâre going to bottle it all up and get sick.â
Ellinor thought of the man who was still very much alive but was confined to a wheelchair. She pondered and said, âI wonât have to hold it in much longer.â
Belinda looked surprised. âNot much longer? What do you mean? Auntie, are you saying⦠we have a lead on Uncle?â
Before Ellinor could answer, Callum, who had just finished chatting with Adrian, walked over.
Adrian naturally clung to Ellinor, cuddling into her arms.
Ellinor ruffled her sonâs hair and looked at Callum. âWell? Dr. Callum, did you get any results?â
Callum nodded. âWe need to discuss that separately. Ms. Mendoza, could you join me upstairs?â
Ellinor instinctively felt that her son really did have psychological issues, and severe ones at that.
After a moment, she handed Adrian off to Belinda and followed Callum upstairs.
Callum led Ellinor into his therapy office, where he usually saw patients one-on-one.
He took a seat behind his desk and beckoned her. Take a seat, Ms. Mendoza.â
Ellinor pulled out a chair and sat down, asking anxiously, âWhatâs going on? Does my son have severe psychological issues?â
Callum shook his head. âAfter talking to your son, I believe heâs just introverted. Thereâs nothing that requires intervention.â
Introverted?
That was impossible! Ellinor knew her sonâs character inside and out.
Adrian had always been a bit of a mischief-maker. He was comfortable wherever he went. You could say he was the furthest thing from introverted. He was more like an extroverted child.
It was just that recently, for some unknown reason, he had become timid and quiet.
Ellinor furrowed her brow, secretly questioning the psychologistâs professionalism.
Seeing the doubt in Ellinorâs eyes, Callum gave a wry smile. âMs. Mendoza, you think Iâm wrong, donât you?â
Ellinor didnât mince words. âYes, Dr. Callum. I think youâve misjudged my sonâs character. Heâs always been extroverted. His recent quietness is out of character.â
âIâve had quite a long chat with him, and I didnât see any signs of extroversion. Also, it doesnât seem like heâs finding home strange because heâs upset, but because he genuinely finds it unfamiliar.â
Ellinor was getting confused. âWhat do you mean? Are you saying my son suddenly finds the place he grew up in foreign? Has he lost his memory?â
The mention of memory loss made Ellinor-bitter. Her tone now took on a harsh edge.
Callum looked down; he too was puzzled. âMs. Mendoza, thatâs not what I meant. I meanâ¦
hypothetically speaking, is it possible that the child with you is not your original son?â
During his chat with Adrian, Callum noticed several contradictions. The boy seemed to be deliberately hiding something. But overall, he seemed perfectly normal.
Callumâs hypothesis shocked Ellinor.