Lukas didn't answer immediately.
He stared ahead, eyes fixed somewhere beyond the television, beyond the room, beyond the moment. His gaze wasn't focused on anything in particular. It was the kind of stare that meant his thoughts were running faster than his voice could keep up with.
After a long silence, he spoke.
"I don't know."
His voice was low. Honest.
"I haven't made up my mind."
He inhaled slowly, then exhaled through his nose.
"But I can't run away from it forever," he continued. "I know that. At some point, I'll have to meet her."
He swallowed.
"I just… don't have the courage right now."
There was no shame in the way he said it. Just fatigue. The emotional kind.
Joanna shifted closer without saying anything and wrapped her arms around him again, holding him firmly but gently. She pressed a soft kiss to his forehead and rested her cheek against his hair.
"It's okay," she murmured. "You don't have to force anything."
He stayed still, letting her hold him.
