The Edwards scandal: It’s come to this

(National Enquirer) - In a shocking turn of events, Elizabeth Edwards is meeting her cheating husband's love child for the first time, and she's insisting that he pay his mistress nearly $18,000 a month in support, The ENQUIRER has learned.

While she's heartbroken over John Edwards' “second family,” Elizabeth is determined that the disgraced presidential candidate avoid an ugly court battle with his mistress Rielle Hunter, insiders say.

“Elizabeth feels that above all else, John and Rielle need to put their differences aside,” a close source told The ENQUIRER.