She knows that you gave her food and safety... Back when I was a kid (I'm almost 50 now). My mom shut my cat Sooty in the basement with a wonderful nestbox with her litter of kittens, food and a litterbox to keep her safe. She ripped a hole in the cellar window so she could come and go as she pleased... She always came back and lived to be a very old lady cat.

More recently a semi-feral (she came to the porch sick and wild to everyone but me) refused to be inside for longer than a fast meal and a snuggle. (She too put holes in screens and would NOT sleep inside.) she lived this way for many years until a fight with a raccoon. She ran one way the 'coon the other and after 3 days in which I believed she was dead of wounds, she came home, came in and never wanted to go out of the door again!

Your girl knows she has the choice of a home and I'm sure she will come back to you. It is hard for some of them to trust that they will be allowed to be themselves.

Sending you good thoughts and wishes.