

Edward, still uncertain about their relationship, tests Lee by commanding her to sit in his chair without moving her hands or feet until he returns. However, while trying on her wedding gown she leaves and runs to Edward's office where she declares her love for him. After Lee is fired from her job, Peter proposes to Lee, who reluctantly agrees to marry him. During this period of exploration with Edward, Lee has also been attempting to have a more conventional boyfriend in Peter (Jeremy Davies), even engaging in lukewarm sex with him. After a sexual encounter in his office, he fires Lee. Edward, however, displays insecurity concerning his feelings for Lee, and he shows shame and disgust over his sexual habits.

Lee experiences a sexual and personal awakening, and she falls deeply in love. After he confronts her about her propensity for self-injury and commands that she never hurt herself again, the two embark on a BDSM (B&D (bondage and discipline) with S&M (sadomasochism or sadism and masochism) relationship. Though at first Grey appears highly irritated by Lee's typos and other innocuous mistakes, it soon becomes apparent that he is sexually aroused by her submissive behavior. Edward explains that it's dull work and they don't use computers, however Lee remarks that she is okay with these conditions. Edward Grey (James Spader), who hires her despite her stilted social skills, unprofessional appearance and scoring higher than anyone he's ever interviewed therefore being really highly overqualified. She learns to type, starts to date an acquaintance from high school named Peter, and begins to work as a secretary for an eccentric attorney, named E. She has to adjust to normal life after having been hospitalized following an incident of dangerous self-harm. Lee Holloway (Maggie Gyllenhaal), is a socially awkward and emotionally sensitive youngest daughter of a dysfunctional family.
