We all face challenges that feel overwhelming, but for most, these storms eventually pass. For Kayla Holmes, however, the aftermath of a single day will remain with her forever, a visible mark she sees each time she looks in her own reflection. Her story is a harrowing journey from manipulation to survival, a powerful reminder of the devastating reality of abusive relationships. At just seventeen, Kayla found herself in a toxic relationship with an older boyfriend, Seth Aaron Fleury. Having been raised by a single mother, she admits she never learned the blueprint for a healthy partnership, which left her vulnerable to his physical and emotional control.
For a long time, Kayla held onto the hope that her boyfriend would change, clinging to the good moments that made her feel loved. She now reflects that this decision is one she will regret for the rest of her life. The trajectory of her future was permanently altered on October 17, 2017, a day etched into her memory with terrifying clarity. Unable to accept that their relationship was over, Fleury lured her under the pretense of an apology, but his intentions turned monstrous when she stood her ground and reaffirmed the breakup.
In a brutal act of possession, he decided that if he could not have her, no one else would. After attempting to force a kiss, he bit down on her lower lip and tore it from her face. He callously stated he was leaving his mark for her next boyfriend before throwing her from her own vehicle and fleeing the scene. As she sat in a pool of her own blood, holding the piece of her lip, Kayla was consumed with confusion and terror, wishing for her life to end rather than face a future with her face so brutally disfigured.
The physical damage was catastrophic. Despite doctors’ efforts, the torn tissue could not be reattached, and surgeons had to perform extensive procedures, cutting into her cheeks to close the wound. Waking up after surgery, the gravity of her new reality crashed down upon her. A long, permanent scar now runs across her face, a constant testament to the violence she endured. For a long time, she wrestled with self-blame, a common burden for survivors of abuse who are made to feel responsible for their partner’s actions.
Today, Kayla Holmes is a survivor who wears her scar with pride. She sees it not as a definition of her worth, but as a symbol of her immense strength. She now recognizes that the day she refused to get back with her abuser was the day she reclaimed her power. Seth Aaron Fleury was sentenced to twelve years in prison for aggravated assault, providing a measure of justice. Kayla’s story is a crucial message to anyone in a toxic relationship: love should never hurt, and choosing to walk away is the bravest step you can take toward freedom.
