C184 1 at first sight
"Don't say that, I've always wanted to thank you personally."
I can understand her.
A woman who had drifted abroad for so many years finally had a stable life. Of course, she did not want strangers to come and disturb her.
If it were me, I would probably choose to be like her …
"If it wasn't for you, I probably would have …"
"Don't say that... At that time