He Loved Her but Was Ashamed—So He Took Another Girl Instead
Mark Hallspringer always believed he deserved the perfect woman—someone smart, funny, stylish, and, of course, thin and drop-dead gorgeous. After all, he was handsome, successful, athletic, and always the center of attention. People often told him, “You’re a real catch, Mark!” So in his mind, only the best would do.
When he first started talking to Anna Coulton, romance was the last thing on his mind. She wasn’t his type at all—at least, not the type he thought he wanted. But life has a funny way of showing us what we need, not just what we want.
It all started at work. Mark had been asked to help the sales team work more closely with marketing. Sales were doing badly and blaming marketing for it. So Mark sent a message to the head of marketing—someone named Anna Coulton.
Even though they had both worked in the same company, same building, for three years, they had never spoken. Not even at office parties.
Anna’s email reply surprised Mark. It was short, clear, and sharp—and it totally flipped the blame back onto the sales team. She even included a few smart ideas to help fix the problem.
“Wow,” Mark thought. “She knows her stuff.” He liked her brain. So he called her to talk more about her ideas and to arrange a meeting with the sales director.
Anna’s voice on the phone was warm, husky, and charming. She had a laugh that made Mark smile instantly. Within minutes, they weren’t just talking business—they were joking like old friends.
After that call, Mark found excuses to keep calling Anna. Technically, he was checking on project progress… but deep down, he just wanted to hear her voice. He looked forward to their chats every day. He was drawn to her wit, her intelligence, and her easy laughter.
A few weeks later, Mark surprised even himself when he asked Anna out for lunch.
There was a pause on the line. Then Anna asked softly, “Are you sure about that, Mark?”
“Of course!” he said quickly. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
Anna hesitated. “I may not be what you expect. I’m not everyone’s cup of tea.”
Mark laughed. “Tea? Did I ever tell you my mother’s British? I love tea. All kinds of tea! I’m addicted to it!”
Anna laughed too and finally said, “Alright, lunch on Saturday.”
Saturday came. Mark was nervous. He waited outside the restaurant, glancing at everyone who walked by.
“I should’ve asked if she’s blonde or brunette,” he muttered. “How am I supposed to know who she is?”
Then, a big girl with a stunning smile walked up and tapped him on the shoulder.
“Hello, Mark,” she said with that same deep, lovely voice. “I’m Anna.”
Mark froze.
She was gorgeous—her face looked like it belonged on the cover of a fashion magazine—but she was also much heavier than he had imagined. Anna was plus-size. Not just a little—she was big.
At first, Mark didn’t know what to say. But the moment they sat down and started talking, all his awkwardness melted away. Anna’s charm, her glowing smile, and her incredible personality made him forget everything else. By the end of lunch, Mark already knew he wanted to see her again.
Six months later, Mark and Anna were in love. They laughed together, worked together, spent every weekend side by side. He had met her family. He adored her. But… he was hiding something.
He didn’t want anyone else to know.
He was ashamed of the way people might look at them. Especially at work, they kept the relationship a secret. Mark couldn’t shake the fear of being judged for loving someone who didn’t have a model-thin body.
The worst part? Anna didn’t know.
One night, they were curled up on the couch watching a movie, and Mark suddenly pulled out a ring. He proposed. Anna cried and said yes.
But inside, Mark was panicking. He still hadn’t told his parents. He imagined his younger brother making rude jokes. He pictured his friends whispering.
Then came the big problem: his parents’ 40th anniversary party.
Anna was excited. She helped pick out the gift and smiled as she asked, “So, when’s the party, babe? I can’t wait to meet them! Do they know we’re engaged?”
Mark lied. “Yes! They know everything!” In truth, his parents knew he was seeing someone named Anna—but not who she really was.
When Anna asked about the party details, Mark felt trapped. So he came up with a terrible plan.
Two days before the event, he called her.
“Honey, I’ve got bad news,” he said. “I’m on a flight to Colorado. The company needs me to handle a crisis. I’ll fly straight to Connecticut from there. So… you can’t come with me to the party.”
Anna sounded crushed. “Oh no! That’s awful. Poor you! What should I do with your parents’ gift? Want me to send it by mail?”
Mark breathed a sigh of relief. “That would be perfect! I’ll text you their address.”
Anna hung up and stared at the address. Then she smiled.
“Why not surprise him?” she thought. “I’ll drop off the gift in person! He’ll be so touched.”
On the day of the party, Anna knocked on the door of a large house in Connecticut. A thin, elegant older woman opened it.
“Yes?” she asked politely.
“Hi!” Anna smiled. “I’m dropping off a gift for Mr. and Mrs. Hallspringer. It’s from Mark.”
“Thank you!” said the woman, taking the box. She started to close the door, but Anna reached out.
“I’m Anna. Anna Coulton. Mark’s fiancée.”
The woman’s face changed instantly. Her mouth dropped open. “Is this a joke?” she said coldly. “Because my son and his fiancée Anna are already having dinner with us right now.”
Anna’s heart stopped.
She stepped past the woman and into the house. There in the dining room sat Mark, smiling—until he saw her.
Next to him was a thin, stunning girl holding his arm.
Anna’s voice shook. “Mark! What is going on?”
Mark jumped up, his face pale. “Anna—this isn’t what it looks like. This woman is an actress—I hired her—just for tonight—”
“What?!” Anna gasped. “Why would you do this? If you don’t love me, why propose to me?”
Mark’s voice cracked. “I do love you! I was just… afraid… People can be cruel. You know…”
Anna blinked. “No. I don’t know. Tell me.”
He whispered, “You’re so… big.”
The room fell completely silent.
Anna took off her ring and placed it on the table. Her voice was calm but full of pain.
“If you truly loved me, you wouldn’t be ashamed of me. You don’t know what love means.”
And with that, she turned and walked out the door.
Mark was broken. He tried calling Anna, again and again, but she wouldn’t answer. Not even at work.
He missed her laugh, her voice, her face. He felt like a fool. He realized he had thrown away the best thing in his life.
Then he had an idea.
The next morning, Anna was walking to work when she saw a crowd of coworkers gathered on the sidewalk, all pointing across the street. Some were cheering. Others were whistling.
Anna looked up—and gasped.
Across the street was a giant billboard. On it was a photo of her and Mark, smiling and hugging.
In big bold letters, it said:
“I LOVE ANNA COULTON AND I WANT TO MARRY HER!”
She stood frozen in shock.
Then Mark appeared, walking through the crowd. He got down on one knee right in front of her.
His eyes were full of tears. “Please, Anna. Marry me. I love you now and forever. I was an idiot—please forgive me.”
Anna laughed and cried at the same time. “You ARE an idiot!” she said. “But I still love you.”
Now, Mark and Anna are planning a beautiful winter wedding in Connecticut. Everyone’s invited—both families, all their friends, and every single coworker.
What can we learn from this story?
Love is not about looks, size, or what others think. It’s about kindness, honesty, and truly seeing someone’s heart. Mark had to lose Anna to understand that.
In the end, he realized—real love is never something to hide.
