Denise Richards' Emotional Interview in OK! Magazine

Denise Richards opens up in this week's issue of OK! Magazine (Hello in the U.K.) about her guilt over her failed reconciliation with Charlie Sheen, her mother's illness, how Sam and Lola's personalities differ, and why the rumors hurt.

Interview excerpts and pictures of Denise and her munchkins hanging at home after the jump...

Are your daughters [Sam, 3 and Lola, 2] aware of your mom’s illness?

"They know she’s sick [Denise's mom has terminal cancer] because she doesn’t have any hair and she can’t pick my daughters up, but they don’t know what it is."

Have your daughters seen you struggle?

"Sam walked in and saw me crying about my mom and she wiped my tear and gave me a kiss. I felt bad that she saw me that way. Then I thought, “You know what? This is life. Mommy sometimes gets sad.”

Was it important to you to try reconciling with Charlie?

"It was a personal thing between Charlie and me. I loved him very much, and I take marriage very seriously. It's very easy for people in this day and age to walk away. My parents have been married for 36 years and I believe in marriage."

Were you shocked when you saw the photographs of you and Richie?

"We thought we were being discreet and obviously we weren't."

How did you cope with being accused of stealing your friend's husband?

"The truth always comes out eventually. The only thing I can say is that I did not have an affair with Richie during my marriage - or his marriage. The truth is, Heather and I hadn't talked in a few months. I understand why Heather was upset. ...At some point, the kids have to take precedence over jealousy and egos and hurt feelings.

It was "backstabbing Denise". I just had to hold my head up. But, that doesn't mean it wasn't hurtful and horrible."

How are your daughters adapting to having their parents in different homes?

"I’m doing my best to let my daughters know that Mom and Dad don’t live together. They’ll probably be in therapy before they’re 5."

 

Do you aspire to be the kind of parent you had?

"Even though I have a nanny, it's very important for me to be very hands-on. I get up with them every morning. I put them to bed every night. I take very good care of my children. I love being a mom. I want to be there."

Describe your daughters.

"Lola looks very much like my mother. Sam is a combination of me and Charlie. There are times that she's got little facial expressions that Charlie and I have. Lola came out laughing and giggling. She's a little more outgoing. Sam's a little shy at first. They're both fun. They're so animated and they're getting to be a great age."

(It's an ice cream cone, Denise. Not a scorpion.)

The entire emotional interview hits newsstands May 21.

So, do you feel any differently about Denise after this interview?