19-year-old Lilli Linke ran over a cyclist on a Bavarian country road one night and committed a hit-and-run. Her mother Anna takes on the act out of love for her child and is sentenced to two years in prison. Meanwhile, Lilli is making a career as a photo model in Hamburg, supported by her ambitious manager Frank Fürst. When Anna shows up after her release from prison, she is relieved, but also afraid. Because Lilli suffers from feelings of guilt towards her overprotective mother. Her manager Frank, who officially passed her off as an orphaned princess, urges Lilli to deny her "convicted" mother. Nevertheless, Anna moves in with her daughter and tirelessly takes care of her well-being. One day she even turns off the phone so Lilli can sleep in properly after a long argument. Lilli promptly misses an important appointment and falls out with her mother. Anna looks for her own place to stay and, with her kind friendliness, finds a job as a fish seller. In her new apartment she takes care of little Nicki, who lives on the street. Anna's long-time friend, the kiosk owner Max Sander, is very worried about the relationship between mother and daughter. He took care of Lilli on a fatherly basis in Anna's absence and moved to Hamburg because of her. And Max has always been in love with Anna. However, Anna is so busy with Lilli and Nicki that she realizes that much too late. She has no time for Max's advances, because first she has to prevent the next misfortune in her daughter's life. Lilli loves the charming young journalist Tom, but lets herself be persuaded to marry a wealthy major publisher. Anna resolutely interrupts the wedding ceremony.