It was easy to tell that Helena was trying hard to appear fine when she clearly wasn't. After all, Irene spent a lot of time reading people, and it wasn't hard to read Helena right now. And the apology meant a lot more than it seemed, that too was obvious. There was none of the cheeky, flirtatious tone that she had come to expect from her lover, and more of a sense that she was trying to retreat into niceties. Which Irene was not about to allow.
"Don't be silly darling, my door is always open to you. When I heard the bell I was worried it was some needy client looking for extra time, hence the expression, do not worry." Before Helena could reply she reached in and kissed her again, a little more forcefully, holding her hair gently but possessively as she did. Breaking the kiss, but not the hold, she smiled then raised an eyebrow. "Now...tell me what's wrong, lover."
It was unlikely Helena was going to open up so easily, but well, Irene had other plans to make her talk if that was the case. Whatever happened, it was clear her partner needed to let out whatever she was feeling, and Irene was determined to make sure that happened. She had watched Helena with the Trident, and she was determined to ensure she never felt that despairing again.