Later that afternoon, I received a call from the police. They had been to the cottage and spoken with my parents. The officer explained that he’d warned them about trespassing and the legal consequences they could face if they attempted it again. My parents had left, but not before airing grievances about “ungrateful children.”

After hanging up, a mix of relief and sadness washed over me. It was hard to reconcile the people who had raised me with those who would so blatantly disregard my rights. At that moment, the realization settled in my chest like a heavy stone: I needed to protect my peace, even if it meant distancing myself from them.