Kayla Hayes was just 17 when her life was changed forever by a violent, unthinkable act. Now, seven years later, the South Carolina woman is reclaiming her story—not with sorrow, but with strength.

In 2017, Hayes was viciously attacked by her then-21-year-old ex-boyfriend, Seth Aaron Fleury, in Simpsonville.

After ending their year-long relationship due to escalating abuse, Kayla agreed to meet with Fleury for a final conversation. When she rejected his attempt to kiss her, he responded by latching onto her lower lip with such force that he tore off 85% of it.

“I was left sitting in a puddle of my own blood,” Kayla later told the court. “With the majority of my lip on my leg, confused and terrified.”

The aftermath was physically and emotionally devastating. Emergency surgery could not reattach her lip, leaving her permanently scarred. She faced years of trauma, anxiety, and a shattered sense of identity. Her ability to eat, speak, and smile was severely impacted. Friends couldn’t understand her when she spoke. She couldn’t even call her mother—away on vacation at the time—for help.

Fleury was sentenced to 12 years in prison after pleading guilty to assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature. He must serve at least 85% of his sentence before being eligible for parole.

Now 26, Kayla has transformed her trauma into a mission of resilience and empowerment. In a recent Instagram post, she shared a radiant photo of herself—smiling. The scars, softened by years of treatment, fillers, and reconstruction, are a subtle reminder of her past, but her spirit shines through even more powerfully.

The post was met with an outpouring of support. “Beautiful,” “brave,” and “an inspiration,” read the comments from followers who have watched her journey unfold.

Kayla is now a published author and advocate. Her memoir, She Rises, recounts not just her survival of the brutal attack, but also her healing from domestic violence and childhood sexual abuse. The book won the Next Generation Indie Book Award in 2022 and has resonated deeply with readers around the world.

She also founded Rise Above, a Facebook community dedicated to helping survivors of abuse recognize warning signs and find support. Her advocacy is fueled by a singular purpose: to make sure others never feel as alone as she once did.

The emotional and financial toll of the attack was immense. Kayla had to abandon her dental hygiene scholarship and drop out of college. Medical bills forced her and her mother to sell their home. Nightmares, panic attacks, and PTSD haunted her for years.

“Every day is a struggle,” she once wrote. “But if I sit down and let this defeat me, then he gets more satisfaction out of what he’s done.”

Instead, Kayla chose to fight back—with words, with purpose, and with her presence.

Today, she’s not just surviving—she’s thriving. Her message is as unshakable as her resolve: “Even if my story only helps one person, then it was all worth it.”