Page 51 of Ravage

It's still strange though that Dr. Smith is treated differently… and more so, why he allows it. If he's really against Lilydale's practices, then why work here at all?

"Regardless, you'll need to fill me in. What exactly are you trying to apologize for?" I ask, getting back to the point.

"The staff card," he says cautiously, trying to gauge how much I know.

Shaking my head, I'm still completely clueless. "What staff card?"

He sighs, rubbing his temple. "I thought you knew. I assumed they would have told you already."

"Told me what?"

Light eyes peer up at me as he hangs his head in exasperation. I can see the mental discomfort that he has to break whatever news he has. "Avery, I'm the one who framed you with the staff card. Before you react," he says sternly, noticing my face tense up in anger. "There was a reason behind it that you should know."

"Are you fucking kidding me?" I snap. "What possible reason could there be for you framing me formurder? I was arrested."

I'm blindsided again. All my initial feelings of betrayal from Dr. Smith come rushing back. I feel like a fool. I should have stuck to my guns and held him accountable for the file incident and giving me the fake cabinet key—too quick to dismiss it.

It's hard when your options are bad or worse.

"I had gotten wind that you were a person of interest for Alexander's project," he interjects. "I knew you wouldn't have maimed someone but figured if I could get you out of here, you'd be safe. The police would realize you were innocent and perhaps reevaluate yoursituation."

Laughter threatens to bubble out. Regardless of his position and educational background, he's fuckingstupid.

"You're not a lawyer," I mutter through clenched teeth. "Nor do I have the money for one. What exactly did you think they were going to do once I was found innocent? Just let me go free? I'm still a convicted felon. The best-case scenario would have been federal prison. I'd be alone again in an equally terrible environment."

Dr. Smith sighs sadly. "It was a rash, split-second decision. I didn't have long to consider the long-term consequences. I just knew they were coming for you, and then once Mr. Hallman's death was discovered, it raised concerns about who would take the fall. We both know that Damon and his group wouldn't. But Arthur would still want someone to be held accountable. Unfortunately, you would have been in the firing line due to the incident earlier that day." He pauses, frowning. "I just never anticipated that Alexander would intervene. He normally doesn't."

"I'm just that special," I grumble. "But if they had their sights set on me, it would make sense that he would want to bring me back."

He falls silent and it takes me a moment to realize that it's because of what I've just said.

"What?" I ask. "What now?"

"Alexander didn't bring you back for that reason," he replies slowly. "Youarespecial, Avery. But he has nearly a hundred other patients to target."

My face twists in confusion. "I'm not very good at riddles. Get to the point."

Dr. Smith leans forward, resting his forearms on the desk. "Damon cut a deal with him."

"What?" I question, my voice an octave higher.

"I don't know the particulars," he responds quickly. "I'm not privy to that information. But I do know that Damon was the instigator of your return."

I fall back into my chair, trying to deal with all the new information. My head feels like it's spinning a million miles an hour, giving me a headache.

"You shouldn't be telling me all of this." It's the only thing I can muster out loud. This whole session has been well outside the box of professionalism, and I'm not sure if I'm relieved by that or frustrated.

He nods, agreeing. "Let's move on from that. How are you doing otherwise?"

"I'm fine."

"Do you want to talk about what happened?"

I snort, raising an eyebrow at him in amusement. "What do you think?"

Dr. Smith offers me a small smile. "Fair enough. How about this? How are you coping? And remember the difference we discussed."

"I'm still fine."

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