Everybody has experienced times when life seems overwhelming, as if they are going against the wind, and everything appears unattainable. But such times inevitably come to an end for most of us.
However, Kayla Holmes will always remember one painful moment—every time she looks in the mirror.
Her narrative puts our daily challenges into horrible perspective since it is so horrific.
In a relationship with an older boy
Only a year prior to the assault, Kayla was caught up in an aggressive and poisonous relationship.
Being raised by a single mother, Kayla was never taught the true meaning of a good relationship. When she was only 17, she was having emotional and physical abuse from an older lover.
“I used to belong to my attacker. She claims that he nearly caused her to lose everything and everyone in her life through manipulation.
However, when he pledged to change, she held onto optimism, like many teenagers falling in love for the first time.
For the rest of her life, she will regret that choice.
Despite the pain, Kayla can still vividly recall every detail of October 17, 2017, the day her world altered, as though it had just happened.
Her ex-boyfriend Seth Aaron Fleury, who was 21 at the time, was unable to accept the end of their relationship that day. And he made the heinous callous decision that no one else could have her if he couldn’t.
In an honest and heartfelt piece on Love What Matters, Kayla recapped the panicking scene:
I can recall every aspect of this precise moment. My head was filled with terrible thoughts as soon as I opened my camera, and they appeared to get worse. I was sitting in a pool of my own blood, most of my lip was on my leg, my entire mouth was burning, and I was scared and confused. I wasn’t sure how I was going to be able to show my face again. Sincerely hoping that those seconds would be my last, I wanted to give up for good at that point.
wanted to express regret.
Kayla had visited Seth that October day after he said he wanted to express regret for his actions. Although they had broken up a few weeks prior, he thought she was there to make amends.
Seth lost it when Kayla expressed that she had no plans to reconcile. He made an attempt at a kiss. He accomplished the unimaginable by biting down on Kayla’s bottom lip and tearing it off when she pulled away.
Her former partner threatened to put his imprint on her for her next partner.
“He then slammed the door in my face and yanked me out of my own car so he could flee what he had just done.” He kept calling me after I got into the ambulance, which seemed to take forever after seeing something that many women value so much utterly destroyed. “I simply don’t understand how you could be so angry,” Kayla remarks.
Why she continued to be in a relationship that had turned into a nightmare has been a common question. She wants people to realise that things weren’t always horrible. Everything felt lovely when Seth, her first love, was kind. Again and again, she held on to that.
Although doctors hurried to repair her lip, the damage was too great. It was impossible to save the ripped tissue. Her cheeks had to be sliced in order for the surgeons to seal the wound.
In an attempt to lighten the mood, I woke up and looked up at my nurse. I joked that at least I wouldn’t have to dress up for Halloween to frighten everyone anymore because I could now go as myself. After nodding and laughing, she escorted me to a mask so I could cover my face. I realised then that this was my new reality. It wasn’t a joke when I woke up. I’m never going to wake up and be living my “normal” life again.
Kayla’s face is permanently scarred today, serving as a reminder of what transpired that evening.
She blamed herself for a while.
However, Kayla eventually realised that it wasn’t her fault with time and help. It was never her fault. The day she refused to take Seth back is today regarded by her as one of the most powerful moments of her life, despite the trauma. That was the day she took back control.
She had ceased to exist for his approval. Her life had been reclaimed.
On October 18, 2018, precisely one year after the attack, Kayla received justice. Seth was found guilty of aggravated assault and given a 12-year prison sentence.
Kayla is not going to accept herself as a victim today. She refers to herself as a survivor. She also proudly displays her scar, not because it defines her but rather because it serves as a reminder of the fortitude required to live.
“I will continue to be kind and strong, and I will continue to wear my scars as wings.” She adds, “And I will overcome this.”
Clinging to the moments of love and kindness that feel genuine in the midst of the mayhem, far too many people, both men and women, are still trapped in toxic relationships.
However, as Kayla’s tale demonstrates, love shouldn’t be painful.
Please take the action Kayla took if you or someone you know is living in terror or is being threatened with violence. Go for life. Decide on freedom. No one ought to have to live in terror.
