“There are so many people who treat you as whole,” Cav went on quietly, watching her as she listened. “Dilara and Robert. Myself. Your kids. Those three new teachers thought nothing of your scars, either.” “You’re right,” she agreed, moving her fingers nervously. “When people get to know me, they don’t see the scars as much.” Struggling to understand, he said, “Then who…or what…made you feel like hiding, Lia?” Weakly, she shrugged. “The first three years after being cut up, I was an emotional basket case. If it hadn’t been for Dilara and my parents helping to put me back together again, I don’t think I’d be where I am today. I felt carved up, Cav.” Looking away, she whispered, “I had a boyfriend at the time the attack happened. Jerry came and saw me after the attack and he couldn’t look me in the eyes. He saw all the wounds and he shook his head and left me.
