Chapter 212

After arriving at the local branch, Christina quickly wrapped up all the necessary paperwork.

The person handing over the work to her was a short-haired girl who was very efficient. "Ms. Windsor, I've got all the project materials. Since today's Friday, I'll go over everything this weekend, and we can dive into the details when you come in on Monday morning."

"Sounds good," Christina replied with a smile.

She planned to use the next couple of days to find a place to rent. Staying in a hotel with her daughter indefinitely wasn't an option.

Sure, the hotel had great service and daily housekeeping, but she'd be in the country for at least a few months. Renting a place would be cozier and give Harper more room to play.

She also needed to find a preschool for Harper.

"Oh, Ms. Windsor, let's exchange contact info. It'll make it easier to stay in touch." The short-haired girl pulled out her phone and added Christina as a friend.

When she saw Harper's photos on Christina's Facebook, her eyes lit up. "Your daughter is adorable! What's her name?"

"Her name's Harper."

"She's so cute. Having a daughter must be wonderful. When I get married, I want a daughter too, so I can dress her up like a little princess," the girl said genuinely.

Harper had inherited the best features from both her parents.

Her eyes were big and sparkling, like two grapes, and her cheeks were rosy with a bit of baby fat, making her irresistibly kissable.

Looking at her daughter's photo, Christina's gaze softened.

What she had once lost was now finally back.

This time, she was determined to protect her daughter at all costs.

"By the way, I've been abroad for years and just got back. I need to rent a place. Do you have any recommendations for neighborhoods?" Christina asked before leaving.

The short-haired girl laughed, "Of course! The neighborhood I live in is great. I'll send you the contact info for my real estate agent. She can show you some places over the next couple of days."

After thanking her, Christina left the office.

No time like the present, Christina contacted the agent right away to look at some apartments. She viewed three in total, each with its own pros and cons.

"Ms. Windsor, the first apartment is the cheapest, the second has the best floor, and the third, though pricey, uses high-quality materials for the renovation. Even the wood furniture is top-notch," the agent explained.

Christina didn't hesitate, "I'll take the third one. I'm living with my child."

She was willing to spend more for a well-renovated place to ensure Harper's safety.

"If you have a child, I definitely recommend this one. I'll contact the landlord to see if we can negotiate the price a bit."

"Regardless of the price, I'll take it. I need to find a preschool for my child today. Once you've talked to the landlord, we can sign the contract." Christina appreciated the agent's diligence and was straightforward herself.

Before returning to Stargate City, Christina had already researched preschools online and spoken with the teachers. Since she had some time today, she decided to visit the preschool in person.

The preschool was just a short walk from the neighborhood, a private institution.

Christina had messaged the teacher in advance, who was waiting at the entrance. "Ms. Windsor, the students are still in their last class. Would you like to take a tour of the school?"

"Absolutely," Christina replied, eager to see the place for herself.

Although the preschool had great online reviews, she preferred to get a firsthand look and feel the atmosphere.

"Follow me," the teacher said, leading the way.

As they walked, the teacher explained, "We use a small class system here, with only 12 students per class and a life teacher to take care of daily needs."

"For things like nap time and meals, we update parents in a group chat. Here are some pictures for you to see."

As they continued the tour, Christina grew more satisfied. The proximity to home also made it convenient for drop-offs and pick-ups. "I'll sign the contract and bring my daughter tomorrow to start school."

After paying, the teacher added Christina to the parents' group chat and escorted her to the gate.

Christina took a taxi back to the hotel.

Of course, she didn't forget to pick up dinner for her daughter on the way.

As soon as she opened the door, Harper ran out and hugged her tightly. "Mommy, you're back! I missed you so much. Did you bring something yummy? I can smell it!"

Harper sniffed eagerly.

Seeing her like this, Christina smiled, "Yes, I bought dinner. We had burgers for lunch, so how about pasta for dinner?"

"Yes!" Harper nodded enthusiastically.

Her mom was busy with work and still made time to buy her food. She was grateful for whatever she got. "Mommy, let's eat together. You must be tired. I wish I could grow up faster to take care of you."

Christina chuckled.

She lifted Harper onto a chair and set the dinner on the table. They enjoyed the meal together.

Watching her daughter eat heartily, Christina's smile never faded. "Harper, Mommy doesn't need you to take care of me. I just want you to grow up healthy and happy. That's my biggest wish."

This was different from Elisa.

Elisa wanted to control her life, making her marry a wealthy man and live a stable life.

Having experienced it all firsthand, Christina didn't want her daughter to suffer the same. "Let's get a good night's sleep tonight. Tomorrow, I'll take you to preschool, and in the evening, we can move into our new home."

"Really? I can make lots of new friends!" Harper clapped her hands in delight.

Christina was also infected by her daughter's excitement.

Once she handled everything, she planned to visit Elisa.

After all, Elisa was her biological mother, and with her in the late stages of cancer, Christina had been away for four years.

Now that she was back, it was only right to visit, see how Elisa was doing, and help with anything she could.

In the following days, Christina balanced work and home, adding many touches to make the house feel more like a home.