Helen sees exactly what is meant by his obvious turning away. She and Nikola are the same in that everything they do and say has meaning. That meaning might be buried, but everything exists for a reason. He wouldn't just turn away from her without cause and right now the cause is easy to determine.

He's still upset with her. For good reason.

For a few moments, she lets him fiddle with the puzzle, remaining close enough that she's almost in the way. Were she anyone else, she would obviously be in the way. Because she's Helen Magnus, there's meaning to her placement. She won't be brushed aside so easily. She knows what he's on about.

When he finally deigns to speak with her again, her eyebrows slide upwards. Not quite in incredulity, but something similar.

"Why on earth would you think that?" she asks, as though there's any question at all. "If I wanted your forgiveness, I certainly wouldn't be trying to buy it."

As if she doesn't actually want that forgiveness. A part of her does, perhaps even desperately so; a part of her also knows she neither needs it nor deserves it. Helen has always done things exactly the way she feels is right, despite anyone else's thoughts or feelings. Now is no different.

Except that it is.

"I have other, better ways of asking for something that important."