*** Asher’s POV *** I heard the words, but they didn’t make any sense to me. I stood there rooted to the spot, unable to understand what I was hearing. Surely she must be joking. There was no way in hell this would be true. “Please tell me you’re joking,” I said. “I’m sorry I never told you,” mom said. “We just had a lot going on, and the topic just never came up.” “Never came up?” I asked incredulously. “This isn’t just something you spring on me and expect me to accept it. You told me your family was gone, mom. You told me there were none of them left.” “And I meant it,” she said. “But Asher, this isn’t the time to have this conversation. Please. We have other things to worry about right now. We’ll discuss this later.” My anger surged forward, and I had to struggle to keep it i