Elizabeth Edwards Calls John's Behavior 'Terrible'

"It makes people want him to pay for it," she tells PEOPLE in a far-reaching interview. "He's paid a lot"

Photo: Brian Doben

For all that’s been said about Elizabeth Edwards, she’s now taking her turn.

In a frank and far-reaching interview with PEOPLE in this week’s issue, Edwards, 60, opens up about husband John’s infidelity scandal and details what her and her children s relationships with him are like now, the summer vacation they’ll take together (including the sleeping arrangements), and her thoughts on him dating again.

“John’s conduct through this whole thing was terrible and it makes people want him to pay for it,” Elizabeth says. “On a personal level, he’s paid a lot.”

She also shares how her cancer has gotten worse, with tumors in her legs, spine and skull: “It’s less frightening than you think; it can’t migrate to your brain,” she says.

Daughter Cate, 28, acknowledges to PEOPLE, “She likes to downplay everything, but of course, I worry about her.”

For more from PEOPLE’s interview with Elizabeth Edwards and daughter Cate, pick up a copy of this week’s issue on newsstands Friday