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Ixora cried on Cherry's shoulder for several minutes until it became uncomfortable for her leaning on the bed. Although Cherry didn't hug her back, she also didn't push her away, for which Ixora was grateful.

"I shouldn't have cried all over you like that, I'm sorry, Cher. It's just that I don't know how to help you deal with the past. I feel so helpless," Ixora said, her voice filled with pain.

Cherry glanced at Ixora's tear-streaked face. "There's nothing to deal with in the past, Xora. So stop crying; it's making me uncomfortable. Jeez, you've got emotions flying all the time. I shudder to think how much worse it'll get if you ever get pregnant," she remarked with a hint of humor.

Ixora managed a smile through her tears, appreciating the attempt to lighten the mood. "I'll be awesome, even pregnant," she replied, tongue-in-cheek.

As the night pressed on, Ixora silently wished it would never end because she dreaded facing her usual, emotionally distant twin in the morning. Now that t