The hours stretched on, each tick of the clock amplifying the tension. I had always trusted my spouse with our finances; it was part of the unspoken agreement, a trust built over years of partnership. Yet here I was, grappling with the realization that I had been left in the dark.
I decided to call the tax advisor again, hoping for some clarity. The phone rang a few times before a voice answered, formal and efficient. « Mr. Langley’s office, how can I assist you? »
« Hi, this is Alex. We spoke yesterday about some issues with my joint tax return, » I said, striving for professionalism despite the turmoil within.
« Yes, of course. How can we help further? » the assistant replied, her tone neutral.
« I need to understand the extent of these ‘discrepancies’. Can you provide a more detailed breakdown? » I asked, my pen poised over a notepad.
« Certainly, let me pull up the file, » she said, a brief pause followed by the click of keys. « It seems there are several accounts under your spouse’s name, some with outstanding balances not previously disclosed. »
I jotted down the information, each word a small jigsaw piece in a puzzle I never wanted to assemble. The assistant’s explanation was methodical, devoid of judgment, yet the implications were clear.
« Thank you, » I said, the words feeling inadequate. « I’ll need to discuss this further at home. »
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