Denise Richards Leans on Ex Charlie Sheen Amid Nasty Divorce: ‘He Never Stopped Loving Her’ (Exclusive)

As Denise Richards and Charlie Sheen posed with their arms around each on the red carpet for his Netflix documentary, aka Charlie Sheen, on Thursday, September 4, the actor turned to his ex and asked “Is it 2002?” Richards revealed in an Instagram post the next day.

Richards showed up to support her former husband, who is opening up about his infamous battle with alcohol and drug addictions — and he’s returning the favor, a source tells Star.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum, 54, is in the middle of a nasty split from ex Aaron Phypers, whom she’s accused of domestic violence, following seven years of marriage. (Phypers has denied her claims.)

“Charlie is in full-blown savior mode with her right now,” the source says of the Two and A Half Men star, 60.

“He’s got so much guilt for what he put her through when they were married and for all those years after when he was deep in his addiction. Being able to help her out in her time of need is his way of paying her back.”

Richards — who filed paperwork on August 19 to evict Phypers from the Calabasas, California, home they shared, per People — “is certainly grateful to have him to lean on,” adds the source.

“When life gets tough, deep down we both know we can count on each other,” Richards wrote in her Instagram post.

The Wall Street actor, who shares daughters Sami, 21, and Lola, 20, with his ex, might have an ulterior motive, suggests the source. “It’s no secret Charlie never stopped loving Denise,” the source tells Star. (Sheen and Richards divorced in 2006 after four years of marriage.)

“She’s not in the right headspace for another relationship right now,” adds the source, “but Charlie is a different man when he’s sober, so it’s actually not that hard to imagine her going back to him.”