Adoration

By Simone Cummings

A story of heartbreak, passion, self-discovery, female empowerment, and redemption.

Lost in the endless tasks of motherhood, Candace has been in denial about her husband's affair. After dropping her daughter off at a sleepover, she receives a text saying it's going to be another late night for John. She returns home with plans to relax, only to find a mess. Candace jokingly offers to sell her soul in exchange for a little help around the house.

Her life is forever changed by an encounter with a demon named Memnoch, who shows Candace what it's like to be adored.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simone Cummings
• Release date: Nov 20, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005156053

Simone Cummings

Simone Cummings is a pen name for a fantasy author T.J. Deschamps.

Book preview

1

Sitting at a traffic light, Candace checked her phone. One new message: her husband John, letting her know his team at work was going to do dinner and show afterward. Her lip quivered and her stomach filled with that uneasy feeling. 

Light, mom, Sarah said, nails clicking on her phone as she text messaged. She had John’s dark hair and coloring instead of Candace’s auburn and pale complexion. Short and gone soft with middle age, she hardly saw anything of herself in the tall, athletic teen. 

Thanks, Candace replied, absently.

Ten more minutes, and she’d drop Sarah off at the sleepover. Candace could hold back the tears that threatened to fall for ten more minutes. 

Of course, traffic moved at a snail’s pace.

What time do I pick you up?

Dad’s picking me up for practice. Candace could hear the eyeroll in her daughter’s tone.

Right. Lacrosse season began. It was hard to keep up with Sarah’s schedule. Candace needed to check her email and see if it was her turn to do snacks. John would buy the kids donuts on the way there and not bother to check about allergies.

 Well, in case he’s...busy. What time do I need to pick you up for practice? 

God. He better not bail on me. I told Maya and Brandi that they could ride in the Tesla, not your lame minivan.

Your father is a busy man.

Sarah scoffed.

At the next light, Candace got another text from John: 

Pick up my dry cleaning by seven or I won’t have that shirt for the meeting Monday. Also, make me an appointment with the podiatrist.  

 Mom, you okay?

Candace blinked back the tears and rage, forcing a smile. Just figuring out what errands to run next.

It didn’t matter if her smile looked fake. Sarah was already back on her cell, tapping away at the screen. 

They reached the sleepover without Candace melting down in front of her kid. 

Sarah slid out without a word but came running back. Mom! Wait!

Sarah smiled widely and her eyes were bright. Candace’s heart fluttered a little at the sight of her daughter coming back just to say goodbye with such enthusiasm. Sarah had become colder and more distant like her father lately and Candace was afraid she was losing her daughter...too.

I almost forgot--

I love you, too, Candace finished. Go on. Have fun.

Awkward, Sarah muttered under her breath. Out loud, she said, "Can you take my uniform out of the washer and put it in the dryer