The Billionaire's Husband

01

Alexander's POV

I felt the wind brush my face as I watched my Dad's coffin on the ground. Somehow, a part of me wished everything was just a horrible nightmare and that mere seconds from now I would wake up. But every time I blinked my eyes, everything was still the same. The cold air, the sound of whispers, the priest's voice in the background-it was all too real. And as sad and hurtful as the truth was, I had to accept it.

He was gone.

The man who raised me, who built a legacy from the ground up, who carried the weight of our family after Mom left-was gone.

I turned to the side and saw different people from the media with all their cameras pointed toward our direction like we were some kind of attraction. And I knew today every media outlet out there had us as their headline. I could already see it happening in my head.

"Today, a funeral is being held for Former CEO Peter McKinley of McKinley Inns, who recently passed away due to cardiac arrest. Peter's million-dollar company, as stated in his will, is now handed down to his firstborn son-Alexander McKinley."

Yeah. That's how they'd say it.

No mention of the kind of man he was. Just numbers and titles. Just another breaking news story.

I looked over to my side and I could see my sister sobbing into her boyfriend's chest. I was glad she had a shoulder to cry on. God knows she needed it. I did too. But I guess I was better off being on my own and grieving in silence. It was easier that way. Less explaining to do.

I walked over to my sister and instantly, she turned to me and gave me a tight hug.

"It's going to be alright, Katie. We will be alright," I whispered to her as I rubbed her back softly.

"I miss Dad already," she whispered, and the sound of her sobs slowly started to escape her.

"I know. I miss him too."

And I don't know how I was going to live my life knowing I would be missing him every single day.

I continued to rub my sister's back as I looked up at the sky, wishing my father was in a place where he was happy. He was always a busy man. Too cramped up in his job as he led a real estate company, and yet he always made time for Katie and me. Even without a mother by our side, he really was the best father anyone could ever ask for.

When my mother had left us when I was eight, he had stepped up and took care of us. I know now how hard it must've been, and I am nothing but grateful for how he did it. He never remarried, never even dated again-not that we knew of. It was like after Mom left, he poured everything he had into being our dad and building McKinley Inns into what it became.

And now that he's gone, I don't know what to do with what he had worked so hard for.

I was just fresh out of Harvard Business School. I was supposed to spend the following years working under him. Learning the dos and don'ts, understanding the ins and outs, figuring out what I would do if I were to inherit it someday.

But no one expected someday to arrive earlier than planned. Everything seemed to have happened so fast. One minute I was walking out of a meeting, and the next, I got a call from my father's secretary saying he was rushed to the hospital. And before we could even say our proper goodbyes, the old geezer had left.

And as much as I hate goodbyes, saying my goodbye to him when he was still alive is something that I could only dream of having.

I miss you, Dad. So much.

The priest's voice faded into the background as my thoughts drowned it out. I barely heard the final words of the service. I didn't even notice when the crowd started to disperse. Only when Katie pulled back from our hug and wiped her eyes did I snap back into reality.

"Are you going to be okay?" she asked me, her voice still trembling.

I nodded. "Eventually. You?"

She gave a small, sad smile. "Eventually."

We both knew it was a lie, but it was a lie we needed to believe in-for now.

People kept coming up to us. Business partners, extended family, board members from the company. They all had the same look of pity and polished condolences. "Your father was a great man." "He'll be missed deeply." "If there's anything we can do..."

All of it blurred into a single, meaningless string of words.

I didn't want to hear about how great of a man he was. I already knew that. I lived with that man. He was the one who taught me how to ride a bike, how to tie a tie, how to think like a leader. He wasn't just the CEO of McKinley Inns. He was my dad.

I looked toward the limo waiting for us. The driver had been discreet, standing a good distance away, but I caught his glance in the rearview mirror. Even he looked sad. Dad had this way of leaving an impression on everyone-no matter who they were.

When Katie and I finally got into the car, the silence was heavy. I leaned my head back and closed my eyes, remembering the last phone call I had with him.

It was a week ago.

He called to tell me how proud he was of me for finishing my degree.

"You're going to do amazing things, Alex," he said. "I know it."

I laughed and told him he was getting sentimental in his old age.

He chuckled back and said, "I'm not that old."

I wish I had known that would be our last conversation. I would've told him so much more.

We arrived at the mansion-our family home. It looked the same, but without him in it, it felt hollow. Like the heart of it had been ripped out.

Everything was exactly how he left it. His shoes still by the door. His coat on the hook. His favorite mug in the kitchen, probably still with a trace of coffee left in it.

Katie went upstairs to lie down. Her boyfriend followed a few minutes later, leaving me alone in the living room.

I sat on the armchair Dad always used.

The silence was deafening.

I stared at the fireplace, the one he used to light during the holidays. Every Christmas, he'd insist on wearing that ugly red sweater Katie got him when she was ten. He said it was tradition.

Now traditions feel like something that belong to a different lifetime.

The housekeeper brought me tea, but I barely touched it. My phone buzzed with new emails, probably from the board, or lawyers, or worse-reporters.

I didn't answer.

I couldn't bring myself to think about the company right now. McKinley Inns was his dream, his baby. Now it was mine. Whether I liked it or not.

The weight of it all felt crushing. How was I supposed to fill his shoes? How was I supposed to keep it all running when I hadn't even been trained for this yet?

I thought about the letter the lawyer gave me earlier, handwritten by Dad and sealed in an envelope. I hadn't opened it yet. I wasn't ready. Maybe later tonight. Maybe tomorrow. I don't know.

All I knew was that I missed him more than I thought possible. And I didn't know how to carry this life without him.

But somehow, I would have to try.

For him. For Katie. For McKinley Inns.

For myself.

02

The day went on, and I still couldn't accept that my beloved father was dead. It felt like yesterday when we were just talking and laughing at our own goofy jokes-those stupid puns he loved so much, the way his eyes crinkled when he smiled, the way he'd nudge me and say, "Lighten up, son. Life's too short to be serious all the time."

Now here I was, standing in a dark suit that didn't quite feel like mine, surrounded by people who knew him in ways I didn't. It hurt every time I thought about it. My chest felt tight, like something heavy was pressing on it, and no amount of deep breaths could make it go away.

But I guess that's part of the process in moving on.

As expected, I received a lot of condolences from different people. They came in waves-some with heartfelt words, others with the same scripted lines they probably gave at every funeral. "He was a great man." "He'll be missed." "Stay strong." I smiled politely, nodded when I needed to, but it was like I wasn't really there.

There were several people who tried and did their best to comfort me. Some of them were old business partners of my dad-names I never even heard before, men and women who wore expensive suits and smelled of rich cologne. They offered kind words and strong handshakes, but their eyes were always calculating, like they were already wondering what I would do with my father's empire.

And at that moment, I had to step up. Act like I had everything figured out and that I was ready to lead the company.

Because I had no time to be weak in front of all these people.

Or so I thought.

Because as soon as my father was completely buried beneath the ground, when the last clumps of earth were dropped and the final prayers whispered, that's when it hit me. Like a freight train crashing into my chest, I realized he was truly gone. And everything I'd been holding inside-the anger, the grief, the sadness-all of it came bursting out.

It started with a single tear. I didn't even feel it coming. Then another, and another. And suddenly, I wasn't just crying-I was breaking. My shoulders shook as I tried to breathe, and I turned away, wiping at my face with my sleeve like a child.

So much for trying not to look weak, huh.

I sighed and wiped away the tears, frustrated with myself for unraveling like that. But at the same time... it felt real. It felt right. Like my body had finally caught up with my heart.

People started to leave, slowly trickling out of the cemetery, giving me final nods or pats on the back as they passed. I barely noticed them. I was too distracted to realize that I was now the only one left standing in front of dad's grave.

I don't know how long I stood there. Time didn't seem to exist. It could've been ten minutes or an hour.

Eventually, I felt a few gentle pats on the shoulder and quick hugs from the last stragglers. One of dad's cousins gave me a small squeeze before stepping away with teary eyes.

And then, as I blinked away the last of my tears, I noticed movement in the distance. My sister, Katie, was waving at me as she climbed into her boyfriend's car. She gave me a small smile-sad, but brave. Just like dad used to say about her.

I waved back, then turned to look at dad's grave one last time.

"May you be in peace, Dad," I whispered. "In a place where you'll always be happy."

My voice cracked, but I pushed through it.

"I love you so much. I could only hope to be as great as you in the next years to come. I'll do my best to make you proud. I'll always look over Katie... just like you always told me to."

My eyes started to sting again, but I held the tears back this time. I had said what needed to be said.

"I'll miss you every single day. I love you, Dad. And I'll see you soon, you old geezer."

« Adam, let's go. » I said without looking back.

Adam was someone assigned by my father to watch over me since I was in high school. He was more than just a bodyguard-he was a constant presence, a silent protector. I used to find him annoying, always following me around, giving subtle warnings when I did something reckless. But now, in a strange way, his presence felt like the only thing that hadn't changed.

Adam nodded in reply, not needing to say anything else, and started walking toward the car parked a little ways off.

I followed behind him, my shoes crunching softly against the gravel path. The sun was starting to dip lower in the sky, casting golden light through the trees, as if nature itself was trying to mourn alongside me.

Adam reached the car first and opened the door without a word. I slid into the backseat and settled by the window, leaning my head against the cool glass.

The engine rumbled to life.

I reached for the button by my side and pressed it, rolling the window down. I needed some fresh air.

The wind rushed in, brushing my face with a comforting chill. It tugged at my hair, cooled my skin, and somehow, it made me feel just a little lighter.

We drove in silence for a while. The soft hum of the car, the rustling wind, and the fading light-it all blended together into something surreal.

Then Adam broke the silence.

« Sir, I think you already know this, but I just want to remind you... as the firstborn son of Peter McKinley, you will lead the company. »

His voice was calm, steady. It wasn't a question. It wasn't even a suggestion. It was a fact. A truth I couldn't run from, even if I wanted to.

I turned my head slightly, watching his reflection in the rearview mirror. He didn't look back. His eyes were focused on the road, hands steady on the wheel.

"I know," I replied softly.

There was a long pause. Then, "I just don't know if I'm ready."

Adam didn't answer right away. When he finally spoke, his voice was low. "Your father believed you were. He saw something in you. Even when you didn't see it yourself."

I stared out the window again, letting those words sink in.

Dad had always believed in me. Even when I screwed up. Even when I didn't deserve it. He never gave up on me.

And now, it was my turn.

I didn't know what the future would look like. I didn't know how to be the leader my father was. But I owed it to him-to his memory-to try.

"I'll figure it out," I said quietly. More to myself than to Adam.

"I'll make him proud."

Adam gave a slight nod. "That's all he ever wanted."

The rest of the ride was quiet. But this time, it wasn't heavy. It was thoughtful. Determined.

The wind still brushed my face, but now it didn't just feel like a breeze. It felt like a promise.

A promise that I wasn't alone.

A promise that I would carry on.

And maybe, just maybe, a promise that he was still watching.

Somewhere.

03

I sighed before opening my eyes. I don't want to lead a company yet. Honestly, I had no idea how. So many people would depend on me and the choices I made for them. But how do I make the right ones?

I mean, some would think it was great. Everyone thinks leading a company is like learning to ride a bike. You fall once or twice, scrape your knee, then suddenly you're balancing perfectly and zooming past everyone. But it's not. There's no helmet big enough to protect me from the kind of falls I'm worried about. I don't know if I can lead a company on my own. My dad's little time spent on training me probably can't help me in the next few days. Hell, it barely helped me when he was still around.

"I know, Adam," I sighed. "Right now, I need a good sleep and after that I promise I'll deal with all that shit." I said and closed my eyes, letting the hum of the car lull me into a brief, broken silence.

As we arrived at our house, Adam immediately opened the door and I climbed out of the car. I didn't even wait for him to follow. I was too mentally drained to pretend like I was okay.

I went straight to my room, tossed my phone onto the bedside table, and stripped off my clothes like they were made of heavy regret. I walked directly to the bathroom, turned on the tap, and began filling the tub with warm water. I grabbed a few bottles-maybe it was lavender, maybe mint, hell, maybe even bubblegum-and poured them in without caring what was what. I didn't need a spa experience. I just needed to feel human again.

The water welcomed me like an old friend. I submerged quickly, letting the warmth swallow me whole. For the first time all day, I closed my eyes and felt... okay. Just okay. But that was enough.

It helped. A little.

So I shall be a company's leader tomorrow. I did see it coming, but I wasn't ready yet. Dealing with money and properties is not an easy task. It's not just numbers. It's people. It's pressure. It's walking into rooms filled with men who think they can tear you apart just because they've been doing it longer than you. And maybe they can. But not forever.

But I can learn, right? I'm sure all those years in Harvard can be put to use. Otherwise, what the hell was all that stress for?

So yeah, I am Alexander McKinley.

Welcome to my life.

I am 25 years old. I have one sister and her name is Katie. She's very happy with her current boyfriend, David. The way she looks at him makes me feel things I don't say out loud. Hope, maybe. Longing. A tiny bit of jealousy, maybe-but in a good way. I want that kind of love. That laugh-at-inside-jokes, kiss-in-the-kitchen kind of love.

Me? I'm single. I don't have time to have romance in my life, especially now that I have to take care of the company. And I'm gay, making it a lot more harder. I discovered I was gay when I was just 13 years old. Well, I don't really remember how, but I just realized that I am gay and I like boys. It wasn't a lightbulb moment. It was more like fog clearing over time.

My family was fine with it, and I could care less about everybody else bitching about it. Seriously, if someone doesn't like who I am, that's their problem. I've got bigger things to worry about-like board meetings and company assets and pretending I have my shit together.

But still, I just hope I find someone for me. And despite all the stress that's inevitably going to arrive, a part of me still hopes I get to meet someone someday who will just sweep me right off my feet and make me happy for the rest of my life. You know, the type who brings me coffee without asking and doesn't flinch when I ramble about quarterly returns or late-night insecurities.

Moments after my bath, I got out of the tub and dried myself off. I changed into my underwear and quickly buried myself under the covers. My bed-oh God, my bed-was a literal cloud sent from heaven. It's so soft. Like really, I might marry my bed someday. Screw soulmates. This mattress gets me.

With a content sigh, I closed my eyes and hoped that tomorrow would turn out fine.

When I woke up, I knew my life was about to change.

The moment I stepped out of bed, there was this weird stillness in the air. It wasn't calm. It was the kind of quiet that comes right before a storm. I showered quickly, pulled on a freshly pressed navy-blue suit, and tied my tie three times before it sat just right. I don't know why I bothered so much. Maybe I just wanted to look like I belonged.

As I rode the elevator up to the top floor of McKinley Enterprises, my heart thudded against my ribs like it wanted to escape. I tried to steady my breathing. This was it. The moment the elevator dinged and the doors opened, I stepped out and knew the new chapter of my life was about to begin.

The receptionist looked up. "Good morning, Mr. McKinley," she said with a polished smile. Her voice was calm, rehearsed, like this was just another day. I guess it was. For her.

I forced a polite smile and nodded. "Morning."

The office space was bright, glass walls and sleek furniture. It had my dad's touch all over it-orderly, grand, a little cold. I walked past familiar faces, all of them giving me those unreadable expressions. Some were probably curious. Some skeptical. Maybe a few supportive. But all of them waiting to see if I'd sink or swim.

When I finally reached my office-the one with the ridiculous view of the city-I hesitated for a second before turning the handle. Inside, everything was the same. Nothing changed since the last time I was here with him. His chair. His scent. His unfinished files stacked in a perfectly neat pile.

I sat down and stared at the skyline. I tried to imagine what he would say right now.

"Don't let them eat you alive, Alex."

I could almost hear him. But I was alone. And now, it was all mine.

I placed my hands on the desk and took a deep breath.

Here we go.

I was no longer just Alexander McKinley, the Harvard graduate, the son, the gay guy with a taste for quiet evenings and caramel coffee. I was Alexander McKinley, CEO.

And whether I liked it or not, the world was watching.