Chapter 160 160

Chapter 160 160
ROBYN

I felt like a failure as a wife. I didn’t even know how to crack him up. During one of our therapy sessions, he barely shared anything about what happened at the Abraham headquarters.
Those zealots were maybe locked up, but that incident had changed, shattered, and emotionally damaged Spade. He would go into withdrawal. 
He went back to work a day after that, as if nothing had happened, while I stayed at home for two days. And it made me worried. 
Even though my birthday was approaching, he didn’t even talk about it, or maybe he didn’t know when my birthday was. So I took Mom to a spa so I could ask for advice.
“What’s wrong, bean?”
“I’m worried about Spade.”
“Why?” She was picking up her nail color and showed it to me. “How about this one?” 
“You should pick up a lighter one. It would look cool on you.” I felt dismay. My period was over, but we hadn’t slept together. He didn’t initiate, so I thought maybe he was busy at work.
“Robyn, give him some time. You both had been through a lot.”
“He’s become cagey again, Mom. I felt like he built back his walls, and he doesn’t talk to me about anything anymore. I don’t know how to make him open up to me.”
“People have their own way of coping with their traumas, but it’s important that you’re both surrounded by people who genuinely care about you. Just be with him even if it feels like he doesn’t need you, because you know he does. Don’t force him to talk about it.”
After our spa, I felt hungry. “What do you want for dinner?”
“Let’s have dinner at home.”
My eyes lit up. “You’re coming with me?”
“Yeah. Maybe I can sit with Spade for a minute. You know he grew up without a mom, maybe all he needs is a mother figure, and some boys open up to mothers than their fathers, friends, or girlfriends.”
“Thanks, Mom.” I squeezed her hand. I was so grateful Mom was also my best friend.
As we entered the gate, I noticed the house was dark. The lights were on outside, except for the house. It felt like a deja vu before we got abducted in our own home.
After a thorough investigation, Osmium, the Agency, and the FBI found out that Abraham used rootkits to gain access to Hover despite their advanced cybersecurity platform and a prototype device similar to the EMP, but it didn’t cause a complete mass power outage, just in a specific area, and they were trying to sell it to a terrorist organization. So they tested it at Spade’s house. 
“What the hell is going on?” My heart pounded in my chest, and I gripped Mom’s arm as I spoke to Memphis. While Wave and Quinton were still recovering, Spade took Max as his bodyguard and a handsome Aussie from Osmium.
“I didn’t know, Ma’am. Maybe just a power interruption,” Memphis replied.
Then the upper floor of the house lit up. 
“Oh, God.” I let go of a shuddering breath as I tried to calm my heartbeat. “I swear I’m gonna die young.”
“Just chill out, bean.” She got out first as the car parked in front of the house. 
I took a deep breath to steady my knees before I climbed out. Memphis went to the door first as I fumbled to find my phone for the flashlight. 
“Don’t you guys have a solar panel or a backup generator?” Mom asked. 
“Good point. I don’t know. Honestly, I haven’t even seen half of the house.” I entered the house only to jump and yelp.
“Surprise!” The light flicked on dramatically.
The phone dropped from my hand, bouncing on the floor and landing on my foot. 
My heart galloped in my ribcage as I stared at everyone grinning at me. Balloons and decorations were everywhere. Confetti was still flying in the air, and there was a three-layered birthday cake on the table.
“Happy birthday, baby.” Spade had a huge smile on his face with a plastic golden crown on his head, carrying another, a queen crown, I supposed, for me. 
And I just stood there rooted in my place. I hadn’t breathed nor blinked until I couldn’t take it anymore. 
“Breathe.” Spade framed my face with his hands. Deep worry glinted in his eyes. 
I let go of a shaky breath and stared at him in disbelief. His eyes were sparkling, the same eyes I’d looked at for months.
“Breathe?” My eyes narrowed. “That’s all you can say after you ignored me for the whole week?”
The entire house went silent. I didn’t know my voice was that loud. His smile faded, and I just ruined his entire surprised birthday party for me.
“And it’s not even my birthday yet.”
“I know. Your birthday is in two days.” He swallowed. 
“Then why celebrate it? I’m worried about you, and I feel like I’m losing you, and that incident has worked you up. And then you didn’t even want to talk to me. Yet, here you are celebrating my birthday.” I dropped my voice low.
“I’m sorry, baby. I didn’t know this was a bad idea.” He drew a deep breath. Disappointment flashed all over his face, and I felt terrible. “Don’t worry, I’ll tell them to go home. The party is over.”
I rolled my eyes. “Are you kidding me?”
“What?” He looked shocked. 
“That’s for ignoring me, asshole.” 
He still looked confused until I kissed him on the lips. “Wait. You’re okay with this?”
“Yes!” I jumped in excitement. “Guys! Let the party begin!”
The music blasted in the house. The disco lights flashed. Everyone started dancing. 
“Care to put the crown on me, Your Majesty?” 
His face broke into a smile again, placing the crown on my head. “Happy birthday, baby.”
“Thank you, babe.” I cupped his face and kissed him on the lips. “I thought something had happened in the house. Let me guess. Mom is your cohort?”
He grinned. 
“You, asshole.” I playfully hit him on the arm. “But are you okay?”
“Yes, baby. I’m good. There were some issues at work, some discrepancies, but it’s over now.”
“What? Was that related to the incident? Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Yes. To make the company look like investing in a shady GmbH company. We traced the money back to an account overseas that had been stealing millions from us, but we got it back. I’m sorry for being a terrible husband.”
“No, no, no. I wish you could have told me.”
“No, baby. That’s company matters. You’ve been through a lot. I didn’t want to bother you for something that could be solved without involving you.”
I kissed him again. “You’re anything but a terrible husband.”
“I know I can be an asshole.”
“An awesome asshole.” The way he smiled at me made my heart skip. I didn’t know I was smiling too until my cheeks hurt.
“Let’s light the candle on your cake so that you can make a wish.”
“I think my wish just came true, babe.”
“What is your wish then?”
I smiled— cenuinely smiled. I was happy and contented. I had everyone I cared about tonight. I had the love of my life celebrating my birthday with me. What could I ask for more?
“Spade?”
“Yeah.” His eyes twinkled in anticipation.
“I love you.”
He only smiled and took my hands, and I was happy with that. He didn’t have to say it back just for the sole purpose of accepting my feelings. His smile alone was enough to reciprocate what I felt for him. And then he kissed me softly. It was delicate and sweet, which made my toes curl. 
Before I could respond, he broke the kiss, pressed his forehead against mine, and said, “Sorry to break it to you, princess, but I love you first. I’ve loved you before I even realized I was falling for you.”
I chuckled. My whole body was shaking as I tried not to laugh too hard. “You could just say I love you, too, Robyn Maxwell.”