by Guy de Maupassant · 1888
A family friend leaves his entire fortune to the younger of two brothers, Jean, and the news curdles into suspicion in the mind of the elder, Dr. Pierre, who becomes convinced the bequest proves their mother once had an affair and that Jean is not their father's son. Pierre's jealousy and moral disgust wreck his own life as he circles the truth, needling his mother and brother until the family fractures, and he finally exiles himself to sea as a ship's doctor rather than live with what he's uncovered.