Adam had begun to lie and changed the time scales of his story to make it sound more realistic, but his aunt was becoming very emotional and had already begun believing everything that he was saying.
After everything that Adam had experienced because of her absence, she couldn't help but feel guilty. The things he experienced should be endured by anybody, let alone a child, but there was nothing she could do about it but regret not being there.
Adam needed to distract her with what he experienced and his love for her, so that she would forget about all the other things and no longer be curious, but it wasn't enough.
She believed everything that he told her and was so proud of him.
Adam had not only sacrificed his education to help her but also had been through a lot of struggle, but was still able to turn his life around and help his aunt to live a comfortable life after she woke up.