Lily, a 10-year-old girl, struggles with sleep one night, worrying about her father sneaking out of the house. After seeing him leave in the middle of the night, she becomes determined to uncover the truth. She records video evidence and confronts her father, but he denies it. Later, Lily’s mother, Lynn, reassures her that everything is fine, explaining that Frank got a second job to improve their finances. However, Lynn suspects Frank may have returned to his old gambling habits. One night, she follows him and discovers that Frank was planning a surprise birthday and anniversary celebration. Frank had secretly been working on a fairy-tale castle for Lily’s 11th birthday. The surprise brings joy to the family, and Lily has a magical birthday, filled with princesses and a dragon. The story emphasizes the importance of honesty and the perceptiveness of children.