Page 56 of Mafia Prince's Secret Baby

I watch her for a moment before turning back to Dr. Tolliver, who’s already taking a seat behind her desk. I sit down heavily, leaning forward, my elbows resting on my knees.

“So,” I say, cutting straight to the point, “what do you think? Will the implant work?”

Dr. Tolliver folds her hands on the desk, her expression calm but focused. “First, we need to make sure she’s a suitable candidate,” she explains. “Let me walk you through the process so you know what to expect.”

Katya nods beside me, but I don’t miss the way her shoulders are tensing.

“Today, we’ll start with an initial consultation,” Dr. Tolliver continues. “This part shouldn’t take longer than an hour. We’ll review Sofiya’s medical history and the progression of her neurofibromatosis, type II. I’ve already received all her records from Moscow, which will help speed things up. After that, I’ll perform a brief physical exam on Sofiya.”

“You’re familiar with her condition, then?” Katya asks, her voice steady but carrying that protective edge I’ve come to recognize.

“Absolutely,” Dr. Tolliver replies. “I’ve been deeply involved in improving the technology for auditory brainstem implants.”

Katya exhales softly, a faint note of relief escaping her lips.

“Good,” she murmurs.

“What’s next?” I press, my focus sharpening. “How long will the whole process take?”

“We’ll need to run a full assessment,” Dr. Tolliver says. “After today’s consultation, we’ll schedule a hearing test with our audiologist. He’ll use techniques specifically designed for children Sofiya’s age to check her hearing ability. That appointment will take about two hours.”

“And then?”

“We’ll also need to do an MRI scan to get detailed images of her brain and ears,” Dr. Tolliver continues. “The MRI helps us see how the tumors from her condition might be affecting her nerves. If Sofiya has trouble staying still during the scan, we might need your permission to give her a mild sedative.”

“She’s done MRIs before,” Katya says quickly. “She’s been fine without sedation.”

I nod, though my mind is already racing ahead. “After the MRI, is the surgery next?”

Dr. Tolliver pauses, her calm gaze meeting mine. “Not quite yet.”

My jaw tightens. “What else?”

“Sofiya will also need a complete neurological exam,” she explains. “We’ll check her balance, coordination, and nerve responses. It’s all done in a way that feels like play, so she won’t even realize it’s a test.”

I exhale sharply, leaning back in my chair. “Good. She shouldn’t feel like she’s being poked and prodded.”

“Of course,” Dr. Tolliver says. “We want her to be comfortable throughout the process. After the neurological exam, she’ll meet with our child psychologist, who will evaluate her emotional readiness for the surgery. And finally, a speech therapist will assess how well she communicates.”

“So once all that’s done, we move to surgery?” I ask, my tone sharper than I intend.

Dr. Tolliver tilts her head slightly, like she’s bracing herself. “Not quite yet. Once we have all the results, our team will meet to discuss whether the implant is the best option for Sofiya. At that point, we’ll schedule a follow-up appointment and go over the options with you.”

“It’s not guaranteed that she can get the implant?” I growl, my frustration boiling over.

“We need to be sure it’s the right option for her,” Dr. Tolliver says firmly. “Nothing is decided until we’ve done the tests.”

I grip the edge of the desk, my knuckles white. “I can pay whatever it takes,” I begin, my voice low and tight.

Dr. Tolliver raises a hand, cutting me off gently but firmly. “Money is not the deciding factor here, Mr. Sokolov. I’m aware that you have the means to cover the medical bills out of pocket. But we still need to run the tests and determine if this is the right treatment for your daughter. Let’s hope for the best.”

I stare at her, the weight of her words settling heavily on my shoulders. For a moment, all I can hear is the faint hum of the air conditioning and the sound of Sofiya’s toys clinking together in the corner.

Hope for the best.

I hate those words. They make me feel powerless.

But for Sofiya’s sake, I grit my teeth and endure it. Because no matter what it takes, I’ll make sure she gets what she needs.

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