ARIEL LOPEZ
I flung open the door to my penthouse, beaming with excitement as my parents walked in. It had been too long since we'd last seen each other, and I couldn't wait to catch up. My stepmom enveloped me in a warm hug, tears welling up in her eyes, while my dad smiled broadly, his eyes crinkling at the corners. We spent the evening laughing and chatting, Sophia and the kids joining in on the fun.
As we sat down to dinner, I felt a sense of contentment wash over me. This was what I'd been missing – my family, my loved ones, my support system. After dinner, I turned to my dad, my expression serious.
"Dad, can we talk business for a bit?"
He nodded, his eyes understanding.
"Of course, Ariel. What do you need to know?"
I took a deep breath as he filled me in on everything I'd mi
