Carol falling for it and thinking she and Zosia had something unique and special was devastating but it really exemplifies how effective the hive's manipulation is. Zosia was a complete stranger to her but they successfully made her feel special and chosen by targeting her weak spots. Now imagine if Helen hadn't died, and had said "we love him the same as you" about Manousos to her. Imagine Laxmi's son or husband telling her they love Carol as much as her. It would be impossible to register, mind breaking even, but it would be true, because the hive is *not* Laxmi's son, or Carol's wife. It has their memories, not their feelings, and it never can. The hive simply relies on the uninfected filling in the gaps of emotion it can't genuinely express.
