Dad already had his phone raised when the glass doors behind them slid open. A woman in a gray blazer walked out, followed by a crowd of employees holding balloons and a sheet cake. Mom turned, confused, as the group began to sing. Then she read the lettering above the entrance, and her face went white. Dad’s thumb froze over the screen.

“Happy birthday, Claire!” someone shouted, and the balloons rose into the sky. Above the doors, in tall silver letters, was the company name, and beneath it, my title: Founder and CEO. Mom’s mouth opened and closed. “That’s not possible,” Dad whispered. I looked at them calmly and said, “Go ahead and call the police. I would love for them to meet everyone who works here.”