in my opinion,还是 is used to emphasize the resule of select. At first ,you intend to tell him this thing directly(selection A), but you are worried about the effect may not be good after he know it . so you want to keep silence (selection B), you've toleranted a long time , but at last you still made your choice to speak out. you go back to selection A . 还是 here means still remain the same circumstances or go back to the initial situation.
hope my answer will help you.