Healing Scars (97000 words) A gay Malaysian student must deal with childhood trauma, abusive family interactions, and his own relationship struggles to accept himself, save his little sister, and grow to become a successful London doctor. STEVEN (21) is a homosexual Malaysian medical student studying in Scotland. He has a long- term boyfriend, ALISTAIR (22), to whom he is devoted. Nervous about his sexuality and the impact it will have on his family, Steven is reticent to openly declare himself as gay, despite Alistair's pushing. Steven's father dies, leaving financial control of the family with Steven's older sister, ZOE (28). Subsequently, Steven's mother and younger sister, VIV (12), come to live with Steven in Aberdeen. Despite his worries, Steven comes out to his mother. Angry, she disowns him and moves back to Malaysia, forcing Viv to go to Sheffield to live with Zoe. Steven is distraught. His cultural upbringing is at odds with his sexuality, and he sees no way to patch things up with his mother. Worse, he remembers how cruel Zoe was to him when they were younger and worries for Viv. Cut off from his family and in financial difficulty, Steven concentrates on his studies and growing relationship with Alistair. After hearing from Viv, Steven's worst fears are proven true. As memories of his own abuse by both Zoe and his father surface, he intervenes, determined that Viv not suffer similar treatment to himself. In doing so, he reconnects with his mother. Steven and Alistair enter into a civil partnership, but Alistair's growing gambling addiction and desire for an open relationship tear them apart. Now fully qualified and beginning a career in London, Steven finds himself alone and struggling once again with his identity as a gay man. New friendships, a burgeoning medical career, and the support of a loving partner help Steven build a new life. When a sudden cancer diagnosis threatens to end it, Steven must deal with his past one final time before he can find the strength to be completely free.