After Paul’s death, I found a pair of blue sneakers by his grave. I assumed they were a mistake. Each visit, more shoes appeared—small red boots, green sneakers—confusing and frustrating me since Paul and I never had children.
One day, I caught Maya, Paul’s former secretary, placing sandals at his headstone. Shocked, I learned that Paul had a son named Oliver, whom I never knew about. Maya had left to protect me when she became pregnant.Oliver asked about his father and wanted to leave shoes at the grave as a connection. Initially hurt, I realized Oliver was innocent. I encouraged Maya to continue bringing the shoes for him.In time, I found purpose in getting to know Oliver. The shoes transformed from symbols of betrayal into symbols of healing, creating a new family born from love and loss.