Demian turned toward her.
Ivanka lifted her face, her eyes sincere or at least appearing so. "I don't want to make things uncomfortable. If my presence makes her uneasy, then perhaps I shouldn't have come."
She took a small breath, a faint smile touching her lips one that looked more like regret than satisfaction. "I'm sorry."
Demian shook his head immediately.
"No," he said without hesitation. "You've done nothing wrong."
Ivanka looked at him, as if to be sure she had heard correctly.
Demian went on, his tone firmer now. "Don't blame yourself. Valerie is simply… thinking too much."
He picked up his spoon again, tapping it lightly against the edge of his plate before resuming his meal. "Whatever she's imagining, that's her concern."
Ivanka fell silent, then smiled softly relieved, yet still properly restrained. "If you say so…"
Demian glanced at her. "Leave her be. Eat."
