Angel's Advent: Nothing I Won't Do For Her

I was in the backyard drying the herbs we had just gathered, thinking about what to cook for my wife Alice tonight.

"Kevin! A bishop has arrived in town!" Alice called out from the clinic.

I set down the medicinal herbs and walked into the clinic.

A middle-aged man in red bishop's robes sat in a chair, his gaze fixed on Alice with an expression that made me uncomfortable.

"Is this Physician Kevin?" Bishop Marcus stood up and extended his hand toward me.

I didn't shake it.

"What can I do for you?"

"The Church hopes you both will join us and use your medical skills to serve the Church."

"No."

Marcus's face darkened. "I hope you won't regret this."

As he left, he glanced at Alice once more. The greed and possessiveness in his eyes made the seal on my chest burn slightly.

Over the next few days, Marcus came to the clinic almost daily.

He always found various excuses, but each time, his gaze would linger on Alice.

On the fifth day, I went out to gather herbs.

Less than an hour later, Alice's scream came from the clinic.

I rushed back instantly.

Marcus was gripping Alice's wrist. "Alice, why are you refusing me? What future is there following that penniless physician?"

"Crack!" Alice grabbed a jar of herbs from the table and smashed it on Marcus's head.

"You bastard!" He raised his hand to strike Alice.

I caught his wrist.

"Get out."

I threw him forcefully, and Marcus stumbled into the wall.

"If I see you near my wife again, I will kill you."

Marcus clutched his head and fled the clinic in disgrace. "You're finished! Just wait!"

That night, I stood at the clinic entrance, gazing at the sky. The seal on my chest burned again.

The next day, the atmosphere in town changed.

Neighbors who used to greet us now took detours when they saw us. People threw stones at our door and wrote "WITCH" on our walls.

In the evening, old John came, leaning on his cane.

"Kevin, you need to be careful. The Church is spreading rumors that your healing comes from demonic power." The old man lowered his voice. "Marcus has declared that anyone who speaks for you is a heretic."

Alice's eyes reddened. "Kevin... what did we do wrong?"

"You did nothing wrong." I pulled her into my embrace.

That night, Alice cried in my arms for a long time. The seal on my chest cracked for the first time.