Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of sexual assault, domestic violence, coercive control, and sexual assault of a minor.

The novel opens with Christian Grey experiencing a nightmare. He is back in his childhood home before Carrick Grey and Grace Trevelyan-Grey adopted him. His mother cries as her pimp beats her. The pimp then looks for Christian, finding him hiding under the table. Christian can smell the cigarettes and drink on the pimp as he finds him.

Christian wakes drenched in sweat. He has the scent of cheap bourbon and cigarettes lingering in his mind.

Chapter 1 opens with 21-year-old Anastasia Steele lamenting the loss of her relationship with Christian Grey, the rich entrepreneur with whom she broke up at the end of the previous novel. Ana recently started work at Seattle Independent Publishing (SIP) as assistant to an editor named Jack Hyde. Ana returns from work and receives a delivery of white roses from Christian. She keeps them. The next day, Christian emails her asking if she would like a ride to her friend José’s art show in Portland. Ana agrees.

Christian picks her up from work on the day in question.