I almost laughed at the irony. My mother, who couldn’t be bothered to attend my graduation, was now worried when I didn’t respond to her latest financial demand. I felt a mix of resentment and disbelief, but mostly an overwhelming fatigue.

“I’m perfectly fine,” I assured them, perhaps a bit too sharply. I immediately softened my tone. “There’s really no need for concern.”

The second officer, a woman with kind eyes, gave me a knowing look. “We understand family situations can be complicated,” she said gently. “But it’s our duty to make sure everything’s alright.”

I nodded, appreciating her discretion. “I assure you, everything is under control. I just needed some space,” I said, choosing my words carefully. “It’s been…a long journey.”

The officers shared a glance, standing up in unison. “That’s understandable, Miss Reed,” the male officer said, handing me his card. “Here’s my contact information. If you need anything, or if this situation changes, please don’t hesitate to reach out.”