As soon as Avery and Madison stomp into the house, their little faces scrunched in frustration, I know something's wrong. They drop their backpacks on the floor with a thud and glare up at me.
"Mom!"
Avery's voice is sharp, accusatory.
"Why don't we know who our real dad is?"
I freeze, my heart hammering in my chest. My kids don't greet and hug me any more?
"Avery, Madison... what are you talking about?"
I ask, kneeling down to their level.
"Kids at school were saying stuff."
Madison chimes in, her small fists clenched, her eyes filled with anger and confusion.
"They said we don't have a real dad. They said we're weird."
I sigh deeply, trying to figure out how to navigate this conversation.
"That's not true. You do have a dad. I—"
"But we don't know him!"
Avery interrupts, tears brimming in his eyes.
"Why haven't you told us? Who is he? Where is he?"
