Page 31 of Lost in the Fog

She looked at her dad and smiled. “Thank you for saying it.”

He walked over to her and held her hand. “You are lovely, inside and out. Your mother would have been so proud.”

“I know. She used to tell me what she wanted for me, but I only missed one thing.”

“A husband.”

“And you got one of those for me. Thanks. I didn’t get you anything.”

Her dad smiled. “You woke up, and I got my daughter back.”

“I had help.”

“I know. I still don’t know what to get your friend.”

Gia chuckled. “I will ask her. She’s pretty relaxed about things.”

“What time will you be home?”

“Fairly early. I am just there to represent Mr. Zorat.”

Her father nodded. “Well, have fun.”

“I will. You staying in tonight?”

“Going to the club. Thanks again for that. I had missed it.”

“Your little moneymaker stands ready once again.”

He grinned and carefully hugged her.

When she was on the way to the party, she thought about the look in his eyes. He had looked so happy. It was a shame that she was going to wreck that joy.

She sipped a cocktail and looked at some of the statues that had been carved. Dark and light elves were cavorting and readying for battle all around the installation space.

Gia kept an eye on the faces around her, and when she saw someone she had only seen before in a portfolio provided by a private investigator, she walked over and smiled slowly at the man. Dark features, bronze hair, and eyes that were a dark forest green matched the image.

“Hello, sir. Are you Mr. Zorat?”

He smiled and nodded. “Yes, miss. Have we met?”

“I don’t believe so. I need to speak with you for a moment. Don’t worry. Nothing nefarious.”

He nodded. “Please, lead the way. I am unfamiliar with the facility.”

Gia walked through the halls and stepped into a meeting room. “The one perk of being on the board.”

He smiled. “Miss, have we met?”

“You are Ornolf Zorat?”

He nodded slowly. “Yes. Why?”

She opened her slim purse and carefully got the paperwork out. “It has been two years since you married me, and as we don’t have any other connections, I would like an annulment or a divorce. You’ve been served.”

His eyes widened. “You are Gia Egarian?”

“Yes, sir. Well, Gia Zorat since my father had my name changed.” She worked the wedding band off and handed it to him. “I will change it back and cease to be an encumbrance to you.”