Jae was casually dressed in a baggy t-shirt and trousers, his phone pressed against his ear as he made his way through his bungalow's entrance hall. He climbed the stairs, the sound of his footsteps echoing through the quiet space, as he continued his call with someone on the other end.
As he reached the top of the stairs, passing through the hallway, he entered his room and let his eyes wander around the space. He looked in every corner, searching for Kang Jia. Despite his thorough search, she was nowhere to be seen.
After a moment, he said to the person on the line, "I'll call you back later," before ending the call.
The silence in the room enveloped him, then he made his way towards the washroom and knocked on the bathroom door, calling out her name. "Jia, are you inside?" When no answer came, he knocked on the door again, his voice growing anxious. "Jia, are you in there?" When the second time no answer came, he pushed the door gently, but found the washroom empty.
The sight of the empty washroom caused Jae to feel a sudden sense of unease and concern. He quickly made his way out to the balcony, hoping to find Jia there, but she wasn't there either.
Panicked and worried, he began a frantic search through the entire bungalow, checking every nook and corner like a madman while calling her name.
He remembered how Jia had disappeared before after her two days of unconsciousness and how he had felt both fear and anger at her disappearance. But this time around, he just felt nothing but worry, concern and fear for her, his heart pounding erratically in his chest. His eyes scanned every room, every corner, every hidden space, but came up empty-handed.
In the midst of his search, he frantically dialled Jia's number, hoping she would pick up the call herself. As soon as he called her, he suddenly heard a ringing sound coming from somewhere nearby. Confused and determined, he concentrated on the direction of the sound and started to move towards it. As he moved closer, the ringing gradually got louder, until he finally reached the source.
He found Jia's phone lying outside the store room, ringing incessantly, but Jia was nowhere to be seen. He immediately picked up her phone in his hand. Then wasted no time and quickly opened the store room door, he searched every corner, every cabinet, desperately hoping to find her but failed.
Then frustrated and panicky, he quickly made his way outside the bungalow and instructed the guards to immediately start searching for Jia in the surrounding area. The guards immediately sprung into action, fanning out and diligently searching every inch of the surroundings.
Jae was overwhelmed with worry and anxiety, unsure of where Jia could have gone, when the thought of the backyard suddenly entered his mind. He hadn't searched there yet, and without hesitation, he sprinted towards it. As he reached the backyard, his eyes scanned the area, searching intently. The backyard was vast, filled with trees, bushes, and various spaces where Jia could potentially be hiding.
Eventually, as he searched the backyard, calling out Jia's name, he finally discovered her sitting on the ground next to a tree instead of the nearby bench. She had her knees drawn up to her chest with her hands wrapped around them, her head drooping down so that her face was hidden from view.
A small sense of relief washed over Jae, but it was quickly replaced by concern when he saw her in that vulnerable position. Without thinking, he hurriedly made his way towards her, unable to conceal his worry any longer.
He kneeled down in front of her, gently calling her name, "Jia!" but she didn't respond.
He couldn't understand why she had been acting this way for a few days now, why she seemed so despondent, why she didn't speak or show any joy. It worried him deeply. He urgently lifted Jia's head and looked into her face, immediately feeling a pang of pain in his heart at the sight of her tear-streaked cheeks and unfocused eyes.
He tenderly brushed her hair aside, attempting to wipe away the tears from her face before cupping her cheek and gazing deeply into her eyes. "Jia, what's going on? What's wrong?" he asked.
His concern for her, which he wasn't hiding now, was evident in his every gesture and word.
Jia didn't answer right away, her gaze unfocused and distant. It pained Jae to see her like this, so closed off and withdrawn. He watched her closely, studying the pain and sadness etched on her face, as he silently pleaded with his eyes for her to say something.
After several moments of silence, Jia finally spoke up in a sad, weak voice, "Why is our lives so painful? What did we do to deserve such a fate?"
As she said this, tears began to stream down her cheeks, and the sight of her sobbing broke Jae's heart, causing him pain as well, he was confused by her words. And without hesitation, he pulled her closer, enveloping her in his embrace and holding her against his chest.
Jae had initially thought that Jia's sadness was due to his involvement in the mafia, but as time passed, he began to realise that her despair was not limited to just his profession. It was the collective weight of everything happening around her that was causing her immense pain and grief.
As Jia continued to sob against his chest, the tears staining his shirt, he gently ran his hand through her hair, whispering comforting words into her ear. "Shhh, it's alright. I'm here with you." He gently rubbed her back in a soothing rhythm, hoping to ease her pain, even just a little.
Then in a swift motion, Jae quickly encircled Jia's arms around his neck and wrapped her legs around his waist, lifting her off the ground. She clinged to him tightly, her face buried against his neck. While he silently carried her towards the bungalow and continued to murmur soothing words into her ear, trying gently to coax her out of her crying fit.
He made his way into the bedroom, intending to lay Jia down on the bed, but she refused to release her grip on him. In the midst of her sobs, she requested softly, "Balcony."
Jae wasted no time carrying her to the balcony where he gently lowered them both onto the couch. He continued to hold her against his chest, cradling her as she continued to cling to him tightly. All the while, he keeps patting her back, offering what little comfort he could.
The afternoon sunlight filtered through the open space, casting a warm glow over them. The balcony was filled with a heavy silence, broken only by the occasional sound of Jia's soft sobs.
Suddenly Jia spoke up between her sobs, "Jae, I Love You."
As the words "I love you" spilled from Jia's lips, Jae momentarily paused in surprise, the sound of her declaration reverberating in his ears and accelerating his heartbeat. It wasn't the first time she had said those words, but for the first time, he truly felt the depth and weight behind them. Nevertheless, he quickly regained his composure and resumed patting her back, his touch gentle and comforting.
"Today I want you in front of my eyes the whole day, just for today, please don't go anywhere." Jia said again.
And her next plea for him weighed heavy on his heart, stirring a sense of uneasiness within him. But he responded calmly, his voice tender and reassuring. "I'm not going anywhere. I'm right here with you,"
Jia tightened her grip on him, and though her sobs subsided for the moment, the occasional soft hitch in her breath still betrayed the emotional turmoil she was experiencing.
They sat in silence, basking in each other's presence. The silence was not uncomfortable, but rather a peaceful respite from the storm of emotions that had just passed.
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Sarah and Samuel sat side by side on the sofa in the living room, their eyes skimming over the surroundings. It seemed as if they had entered a jungle instead of an apartment - the living room was a chaotic mess. Items were out of place, the furniture was haphazardly arranged, and there was no sense of order or organisation.
Samuel stared in disbelief and disgust, while Sarah couldn't help but feel amused by the unique and unconventional living space. Even the decorative items on the walls and walls themselves appeared disorganised, as if someone had deliberately placed them in strange positions to create an enigmatic and eccentric atmosphere.
Sarah couldn't understand how someone could live in such an untidy and perplexing setting, but she couldn't deny the uniqueness and creativity behind it. It seemed the person who lived in this apartment had an entirely different perspective on life, and had a mind that was completely disconnected from the rest of the world, one unlike anything she had ever encountered before.
"Be careful, be alert, less tea than water is coming!"
Suddenly, a man appeared out of nowhere, holding two cups of tea, startling both Sarah and Samuel. This was Min Dohyun, the person they had come to meet. He was wearing the same bizarrely coloured and bewildering clothes as his apartment, and his hairstyle was as wild as a monkey. However, despite his strange appearance, he had handsome features and looked quite young.
Before Sarah or Samuel could react, Min Dohyun quickly leaped onto the coffee table and placed both cups of tea between them in the sofa instead of the coffee table, making them both shift to the sides of the sofa to make room in aghast at Dohyun's unexpected antics and animalistic behaviour.
"Whoa!" Sarah exclaimed, her eyes wide in surprise. "That was... unexpected."
She couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of Min Dohyun, who seemed to be channelling the spirit of a funny monkey, hopping around and making such a ruckus.
Dohyun, squatting down on the coffee table, looked at Sarah and delivered a nonsensical piece of poetry while gesturing flamboyantly. "In our life people come and go, and I will drown to thank you in the ocean flow."
Sarah, caught up in the playfulness of the moment, clapped her hands together with enthusiasm. "Very good, very nice, great." she said.
On the other hand, Samuel couldn't help but feel a mixture of disbelief and disgust, his expression clearly conveying his distaste for Dohyun's antics. Samuel just couldn't understand how Sarah was finding this amusing.
While Sarah glanced at the cup of tea placed between her and Samuel, confusion etched on her face. Instead of the expected hot tea, the cup was filled with nothing but water. A feeling of disbelief washed over her, and she couldn't help but smile awkwardly.
Then she turned her gaze towards Dohyun and asked with her same awkward smile, "What is the name of this tea?"
Hearing her words, Samuel also stared at the cup, his expression changing to one of surprise. The sight of water instead of tea was a jarring surprise, like a slap in the face.
Dohyun, however, answered with confidence and pride, claiming that the drink was called "Less tea than water."
Sarah nodded, trying to understand Dohyun's explanation. "It's just water," she mumbled, trying to make sense of the situation.
Samuel leaned in closer, he tried to keep his voice audible to Sarah, and whispered, "He seems miser."
Their expressions mirrored each other, a mix of disappointment and incredulity at Dohyun's actions.
However, Dohyun's acute hearing picked up the whispered and mumbled comments of Sarah and Samuel, causing him to flick his fingers in their direction.
"Too much tea can stain your lungs black," Dohyun proclaimed confidently, as if sharing profound wisdom. "Water, on the other hand, promotes health."
Suddenly Sarah chimed in with an excited expression, her finger pointing in Dohyun's direction. "And also promotes pee," she added.
Hearing her words, Samuel, caught off guard by the unexpected support Sarah showed for Dohyun's outlandish explanation, looked at her with an expression of disbelief.
Dohyun smiled as he enthusiastically agreed with her, his face lighting up. "You're right."
Samuel, struggling to make sense of Dohyun and Sarah's seemingly same vibe, shook his head in disbelief. In an attempt to maintain composure, he shut his eyes tight and let out a sigh. He leaned forward in his seat, bringing him closer to Dohyun.
"Let's come to the point," Samuel said, trying to remain composed.
Dohyun, frowning and looking bewildered, asked, "Where is the point?"
Samuel looked at Dohyun in disbelief. He said firmly, "Listen!"
Dohyun, again responded, "My name is Dohyun, not Listen."
Samuel's frustration and annoyance grew as Dohyun continued to be obtuse. While Sarah picked up less tea than water cup and started sipping it as if it was really tea, she was enjoying the moment, looking at Samuel and Dohyun in amusement.
Samuel tried to maintain his composure and continued, "Look, Dohyun."
But Dohyun, once again replied, "Look at what?"
Samuel couldn't fathom why Dohyun was being so difficult. He clenched his teeth, trying to keep his irritation in check, and tried to rephrase his question once more.
"Doh... yun..." Samuel said, emphasising each syllable, "Pay attention to me."
And this time Dohyun responded with a question of his own, "Attention to you or attention to me?"
Dohyun's constant deflection of Samuel's attempts to steer the conversation to the point were wearing Samuel's patience thin. He took a deep breath, clenched his fists, and tried to remain calm.
"Pay attention to me and what I'm saying," Samuel said firmly.
Dohyun cocked his head to the side and retorted, "But what if I want to pay attention to me instead?"
Hearing him, Samuel took a moment to gather his thoughts before responding through clenched teeth. "Dohyun, I'm trying to have a serious conversation here. Could you please just listen and not interrupt me until I say?"
"Serious conversation? But why so serious?"
Samuel's patience was now at its limit. Dohyun's carefree attitude and constant disregard for the seriousness of their discussion were driving him insane. Samuel let out a deep sigh, trying one last time to reason with Dohyun.
"Dohyun, please. This is important. Can you just focus for a moment and listen to what I have to say?" Samuel's voice was strained, and his expression was a mix of irritation and desperation.
Dohyun finally responded nonchalantly, saying "Alright, spit the shit out."
Samuel's frustration briefly flared up, but he quickly composed himself and continued, "We want to meet the one who sends Sarah the pink carnation flower bouquet."
Sarah's attention suddenly became fully focused on Dohyun, expecting to hear some valuable information.
But to her surprise, Dohyun replied with a casual "So meet, why are you telling me?"
Samuel looked at Dohyun with a mix of disbelief and frustration, not understanding why Dohyun was being so difficult.
Then he pulled out the piece of paper with Dohyun's address from his pocket. He handed the paper to Dohyun, saying firmly, "This was in the flower bouquet on which it was written that if we want to meet that person then we will have to meet you."
Dohyun leaned towards Sarah, saying with a hint of mockery, "This hero seems a little out of touch. He should have said, 'Take us to the person,' instead of 'We want to meet the person.'"
Sarah awkwardly smiled and nodded in agreement, while Samuel continued to glare at Dohyun.
"Now If you understand, will you take us to that person?" Samuel asked firmly.
Dohyun responded by saying, "I don't know who that person is, but they paid me to lead you to them, so I will."
Sarah's face lit up with a wide smile, and she exclaimed excitedly, "Then we need to go to Italy, Oh my god I have spent 19+1 years of my life in Italy but it would be fun to go back there for this adventure. Right??"
Dohyun replied tersely, "Yes, but not now. I'm not in the mood, and I won't be for a few days."
Samuel and Sarah, both shocked by Dohyun's response, simultaneously asked, "But why?"
Dohyun got up from the coffee table, kicked it aside, and laid down in a cow-like position on the floor in front of them. Samuel instinctively shifted his legs to the side to avoid contact. Meanwhile, Sarah placed the tea cup aside and lifted her legs up onto the sofa, creating a comfortable distance between them and Dohyun.
Dohyun responded simply, saying, "Why? Because I'm not in the mood."
Samuel, frustrated by Dohyun's casual attitude, stated firmly, "We won't abide by your mood swings."
Immediately, Dohyun retorted with an adamant tone, "Okay then I won't take you."
Sarah couldn't help but widen her eyes in surprise and panic, quickly standing up before bending down and grabbing Dohyun's hand then shaking it vigorously with both of her hands.
She frantically pleaded, "No no no, Dohyun brother! You shouldn't be offended. We will go whenever you want. We can wait for a few days if needed. And it was really great meeting you."
Dohyun smiled, seemingly amused by Sarah's panicked response. He replied, "I am also pleased to have met you. But this hero seems to be really irritated."
Samuel, watching the interaction between Dohyun and Sarah, was becoming increasingly agitated by the whole situation and their apparent willingness to accommodate Dohyun's mood swings. "What nonsense." Samuel uttered.
Sarah quickly turned towards Samuel with an awkward smile, trying to reassure him. "Don't worry, it's okay. We both want to go together, so we can wait for the right time. And see how nice and interesting he is."
Samuel, frustrated, couldn't help but respond in a grumpy tone directly to both of them, "You're just like him, that's why you think he's interesting. It's like you two are long-lost siblings."
Sarah, still holding Dohyun's hand and shaking it vigorously, agreed and asked, "Yeah yeah exactly, right, Dohyun brother?" Dohyun responded by repeatedly nodding and shaking his head with a smile, completely unbothered by Samuel's words.
Samuel, still feeling annoyed, sighed and then turned towards Dohyun, forcing a smile and asking politely, "So, Dohyun, now can we get your number?"
Dohyun casually replied, "No, you have the address, just come anytime. I'll make sure to serve less tea than water next time too."
Hearing him, Samuel started staring at him with irritated eyes, while Dohyun was just lying there not caring about anyone.
"Absolutely, your less tea than water is very tasty, now we have to go, okay Dohyun brother?" Saying this, Sarah stopped shaking Dohyun's hand and was now standing straight, signalling to Samuel that they should prepare to leave.
Samuel also stood up, ready to leave. He made a quick dash towards the door, eager to leave the apartment. While Sarah continued to wave goodbye to Dohyun, saying, "Bye bye, we'll meet soon."
Dohyun smiled and waved back at Sarah. As Sarah turned towards the door to leave, where Samuel was already standing with a bored face seeing their nonsense saying bye bye to each other.
Dohyun suddenly spoke up in a loud voice, "Sarah sister, the person who has been placing flowers on your doorstep for so many years... it's me."
Sarah was surprised and turned back slightly, speaking loudly to ensure Dohyun could hear her, "It feels nice to hear that."
She then turned back towards the door and hurriedly walked out of the apartment with Samuel.
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Jae was lying down, and Jia was lying next to him, her head resting on his chest, their bodies embracing under the soft cover of the blanket. Jae's arm was protectively wrapped around her, keeping her close. The room was dark, and the lights were off. Jia was asleep, but Jae was still awake, his eyes wide open, refusing to take his gaze off her.
He was worried about her sudden and unexplainable dark mood, and he was at a loss for what to do to make it go away. He silently watched her sleep, his eyes never leaving her face, as if afraid that she might disappear the moment he looked away.
Jae suddenly felt the urge to go to the bathroom, and he slowly and quietly removed the blanket from him, trying his best not to wake her up. After gently lifting Jia's head from his chest and placing it on the pillow, he slowly got out of the bed and carefully made his way towards the bathroom. He moved with cautious steps, trying his best not to disturb the silence in the room. As he reached the bathroom door, he opened it gently and quietly walked inside, closing the door softly behind him.
Several minutes later, Jae emerged from the bathroom and made his way back towards the bed. But he froze at his tracks in shock when he realised Jia was not there. He removed the blanket but she was nowhere to be found under the blanket. Panicked, he quickly scanned the room, his eyes darting around anxiously, he even checked the balcony.
Then without wasting a moment, he quickly left the room and rushed down to the ground floor. His heart raced as he frantically searched every corner of the ground floor while calling her name. He couldn't believe she wasn't there, and his worry and panic intensified as he continued searching. Just then, he heard a sound coming from the direction of the kitchen. He quickly changed course and headed towards the kitchen.
Once he reached the kitchen, he turned on the lights and then turned his gaze towards the kitchen counter. To his shock and horror, he saw Jia standing there with her back facing him. In her right hand, she held a knife, and blood was oozing out from her left wrist, dripping onto the floor.
Jae was frozen on the spot, utterly shocked and horrified by the sight before him. He couldn't believe what he was seeing, and his mind struggled to process the scene that unfolded before him. In that moment, all his worries and fears came rushing back, and he felt an overwhelming sense of helplessness.
At that very moment, Jia turned around to face Jae, and the pain in her eyes was evident. Her face looked unusually pale, with a bittersweet smile playing on her lips as she saw his horrified expression.
He called out her name, his voice filled with anguish, "Jia!"
And he quickly rushed towards her, his heart racing with worry and pain. His mind was filled with a mix of confusion and desperation, trying to understand why Jia had harmed herself.
As soon as Jae reached Jia's side, she suddenly lost consciousness and collapsed into his arms. The sheer terror of losing her overwhelmed him, and beads of sweat formed on his forehead.
Jae sat down on the floor, holding Jia's motionless body close to him while desperately calling her name. "Jia, Jia, wake up, please," he pleaded as he gently slapped her cheeks, desperately trying to rouse her from her unconscious state.
Blood continuously streamed from her wrist, demonstrating the depth of her self-inflicted injury. While Jae hugged her tightly, his own body trembled with fear.
He started slurring urgently, "This can't be the end of our story...You need to live... Why did you do this? This cannot be the end, it just can't. I won't let it end this way." Jae's voice trembled with a mix of fear and anguish.
His mind raced with thoughts of saving her. The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on him, and he struggled to keep his emotions in check as he tried to figure out what to do next.
It was exactly how a person could become totally overwhelmed when faced with the reality of losing someone they care deeply about. Even simple tasks and thoughts seemed impossible to comprehend at that moment and for him it was like history was repeating.
***
Jae sat silently on a bench in the hallway outside the hospital OR where Jia was being treated. His forehead rested in his hands, which were supported by his elbows propped up on his thighs. He was utterly motionless, his body frozen in place. He couldn't shake the image of Jia harming herself from his thoughts, and his heart continued to pound frantically. The fear and worry he felt were etched on his face, his eyes haunted as he stared down blankly. He couldn't understand why she had done it, why she had inflicted such pain upon herself. The memory of finding her in that state was still fresh in his mind, leaving him feeling helpless and tormented.
At that moment, Jackson and Bella appeared in the hallway, their faces reflecting a mixture of haste and concern. They quickly scanned the hallway, their eyes darting back and forth as they searched for Jae. As soon as they spotted him sitting on the bench in a state of obvious distress, they immediately hurried towards him.
Jackson and Bella could see the anguish etched on Jae's presence, and their hearts ached for him. Jackson's voice echoed down the empty hallway as he called out "Jae!"
Hearing his voice, Jae immediately lifted his head up to see them standing in front of him. His eyes were bloodshot and his hair was dishevelled.
Bella then asked, "What did the doctor say?"
Jae stayed silent for a moment, staring at both of them before answering in a low voice, "She'll be alright."
Hearing this, Jackson and Bella felt a slight sense of relief, and Jackson placed a comforting hand on Jae's shoulder to offer him some solace.
Suddenly Jae then asked Bella in a low voice without looking at her,
"Why did she do it?"
After asking, he raised his head and looked at Bella. However, she didn't provide an answer, and Jae suddenly stood up in front of her, repeating his question with a sense of urgency, "Why did she do it again when she said she had a reason to live now. Why did she do it again?"
Jackson stood nearby, watching the exchange as confusion and worry filled his mind. While Bella remained silent, her gaze fixed on Jae.
Jae, not satisfied with Bella's silence, repeated the question once more, this time in a louder and more pressing tone, "Bella I know that you know, there's more to her behaviour than what we know."
Bella casted a glance towards the OR, her eyes filled with concern before turning back to Jae and taking a deep breath. She then revealed,
"She suffers from bipolar disorder."
Upon hearing her words, Jae and Jackson frown in confusion, and Jackson couldn't help him asking, "What is bipolar disorder?"
She immediately proceeded to explain, "Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition characterised by extreme mood swings that alternate between emotional highs and lows. Individuals with bipolar disorder experience intense feelings of happiness, energy, and activity during the highs, referred to as manic episodes, in this episode they do a lot of manic things, like drinking alcohol, sleeping less, and sometimes their energy and happiness are this much intense that may lead them to do the thing which can hurt them…."
"On the other hand, during the lows, or depressive episodes, they may experience feelings of extreme sadness, hopelessness, and fatigue. The episodes can last for days, weeks, or even months. In between these episodes, individuals with bipolar disorder also experience periods of normal mood. It is a complex and challenging condition that affects a person's thoughts, behaviours, and functioning in various aspects of life."
Jackson and Jae listened intently as Bella provided them with a basic understanding of bipolar disorder. The information sinked in, and they began to comprehend the complexities of the condition that Jia has been dealing with. Jae's mind immediately recalled all the events and the behaviour he witnessed from Jia, and it started to make sense in the context of her diagnosis.
When she regained consciousness after being unconscious for 2 days, she was strangely very happy and energetic and she even did some very dangerous things like climbing on the roof, consuming alcohol, talking about getting intimate with him and all this while she was going through a high episode of bipolar disorder and in between she was also in her normal mood when he brought her back after killing Myung and now during these days she was depressed, she was going through a low episode which even led her to try to kill herself. Now everything was making sense to Jae.
Bella continued, "When I met Jia two and half years ago, she was already dealing with this condition."
Upon hearing this, Jae interjected urgently, "You didn't start her treatment?"
Bella responded, "Her treatment was ongoing, but it's important to understand that managing bipolar disorder is a complex process. People with bipolar disorder usually require a combination of medication, psychotherapy, and lifestyle changes to effectively manage their condition. The medication typically includes mood stabilisers or therapy, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or Family-Focused Therapy, can help individuals with bipolar disorder learn coping skills and strategies to manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life."
Bella paused briefly before continuing, "In addition to medication and psychotherapy, individuals with bipolar disorder can benefit from participating in support groups, maintaining a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise, eating well, and minimising stressors in their lives. Following a routine, avoiding drugs and alcohol, and practising relaxation techniques can also help manage the symptoms of bipolar disorder," Bella informed.
Jae and Jackson paid close attention to Bella's explanation, absorbing the information about Jia's treatment. They began to comprehend the multifaceted approach required to manage her condition and the ongoing effort needed to stabilise her emotions. The realisation set in that treatment for bipolar disorder was not as simple as taking a pill and expecting immediate results; it involved a combination of therapies, lifestyle modifications, and consistent support.
Suddenly Jackson, who had no prior knowledge about Jia's past, asked with a mixture of curiosity, concern, and confusion, "How did Jia develop this disorder?"
Upon hearing his question, Bella took a deep breath. After a moment, Bella thoughtfully composed her answer, carefully choosing her words to provide a comprehensive explanation.
With a serious yet gentle tone, she began, "The disorder is believed to be caused by a combination of genetic, environmental, and neurochemical factors. Researchers have discovered that individuals with a family history of bipolar disorder are at higher risk of developing the condition themselves." She continued, "Some environmental factors, such as traumatic experiences or stressful life events, can also contribute to the onset of bipolar disorder. Additionally, imbalances in certain brain chemicals, such as dopamine and serotonin, have been linked to the condition. These imbalances can affect a person's mood, energy levels, and overall emotional stability."
Bella took a moment to ensure her words were understood, then added, "And in Jia's case, it appeared that her genetic predisposition, combined with some external factors, contributed to the development of her bipolar disorder."
She paused and took a long breath. "It's all about her mental state. To improve physical health, care is required but to improve mental health, efforts are required."
As she spoke, her tone was laced with empathy, understanding the delicate nature of the topic. She gazed at Jackson, hoping her explanation had helped clarify some of the uncertainties surrounding Jia's condition.
As Jackson processed the information, he responded with a mix of determination and empathy, saying, "I don't know what she has been through in the past, but I hope we can help her get better."
Bella nodded in agreement.
Meanwhile, Jae's voice cut through the conversation, laced with desperation and anguish. "She has to get better," he said, his voice filled with pain and his eyes was nothing in particular, "I can't bear to see her hurt herself like this over and over again."
Jackson and Bella could see the raw emotions etched on Jae's face. They understood the depth of his feelings for Jia and his unwavering commitment to protecting her from further harm.
Jackson patted Jae's back reassuringly, saying, "Don't worry, everything will be alright." As he said this, Bella also looked at Jae with concern, her own worry for her sister mixing with a sense of protectiveness for Jae, whom she now saw as her brother-in-law.
While Jae was feeling a mix of emotions - worry, frustration, and helplessness, his usually angry mood, as if disappeared, as if he was exhausted to feel that emotion. The news of Jia's bipolar disorder added a layer of complexity to the situation, and he couldn't help but wonder if things would have been different if he had known about it sooner.
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