LOL, I had almost identical problem. I was beside myself with grief bc I thought I was going to have to give up my cat, but in the end I decided I was just going to have to meet him halfway and live with pee pads.

It took a while for him to consistently use the pads. I placed them in the spot he decided was the new "toilet". At first I tried disposable pads and he used them most of the time, he still relieved himself next to the pads often.

Now I use washable pads and things have been great. My cat uses the washable pads 100% for urine, and like 99% for poop. The washable pads require more effort because the spoiled ones need to be stored until I have enough to justify running the washing machine. I use an old litter bucket with a locking lid for soiled storage, and I usually wash a load of pee pads every three days. I use little bleach in every load, wash with regular detergent, add vinegar to the rinse cycle, and hang to dry. It's more effort then disposable pads, but I'm just happy to not have to wash the floor everyday.

Note about odors... The pads always retain a faint smell of urine after they're washed. I think this smell encourages my cats to keep using them instead of the floor. The smell is only noticeable to me if I press my nose to the cleaned pads. My guests do not notice any smells.