Jennifer Garner and her partner, John Miller, are working to get to a ‘better place’ after the actress’ attempts to help ex-husband Ben Affleck and his split from Jennifer Lopez caused a ‘divide’ in their own relationship, insiders claim.
In the months before Lopez, 55, officially filed from divorce from the Argo actor, 52, Garner had adopted the role of ‘marriage counsellor’ to the struggling couple, with some friends fearing she had been forced to ‘play mediator.’
The role appears to have irked Miller too, who understands they have children, but reportedly doesn’t like ‘sharing’ her.
‘John doesn’t like sharing Jen and there is a divide when it comes to her and Ben,’ an insider exclusively told DailyMail.com.
The source added that the Cali Group CEO is not fearful that the former couple will spark up a romantic connection again, but has simply struggled with how much energy Garner has put into her ex.
Jennifer Garner and her partner, John Miller, are working to move past the tension caused by the actress’ attempts to help Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez ‘s marriage, insiders claim
DailyMail.com had previously reported how Garner, 52, had been acting as a ‘counselor’ to the pair as she desperately tried to help them work through their issues (pictured in 2013)
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‘He wishes it wasn’t like that because he understands they are a family, but it gets to him like it would anyone,’ the insider continued.
‘John doesn’t have any fears that they are getting back together – but it has been tough coping with her support for Ben during his split from JLo.’
Miller is now looking forward to moving past the recent saga and instead focusing on the work that needs to be done on his own relationship.
‘John is looking forward to Ben and JLo’s split being done so he can start focusing on Jen,’ the source said. ‘Bumpy roads recently are looking to be smoothed out.
‘Both Jen and John are hoping for that. It is just going to take a little time. They both want to be in a better place, but some work needs to be done.’
The insider stressed that the pair ‘haven’t split’, adding that ‘friends feel that they will be together for a long time. They are very private.’
They also noted that Miller’s patience over the past few months has only strengthened Garner’s feelings about the relationship.
‘The relationship that Ben and Jen have is different, and where that bothers John, Jen actually likes that it is different because that is what attracted her to John in the first place,’ they said.
Lopez officially filed for divorce from the Gone Girl actor on Tuesday night following months of speculation – and just hours before what would have marked their second wedding anniversary.
Prior to the filing, Affleck had been pictured spending a significant amount time with Garner – who had been doing her best to ensure that the couple’s marital woes would not impact her ex-husband’s sobriety.
‘John doesn’t have any fears that they are getting back together – but it has been tough coping with her support for Ben during his split from JLo,’ a source said
Source added: ‘John doesn’t like sharing Jen and there is a divide when it comes to her and Ben’
DailyMail.com previously reported that Garner felt like a ‘pawn’ in the battle between the estranged couple.
‘Jen feels slightly used as a pawn in JLo’s bid to repair her marriage,’ the insider said. ‘She doesn’t believe it was intentional. But when Jen realized her ex-husband’s marriage was past the point of salvation, her only concern was Ben’s well-being and sobriety.’
The source explained that the actress’ close friends were extremely unimpressed with the way Lopez leaned on Affleck’s ex-wife despite how complicated matters were for them as a trio.
‘She was put in the middle and her friends think – no matter how you look at it – a man’s ex-wife should never have to play mediator in a divorce from his new wife,’ the insider said.
‘Especially when said wife was a big love who Jen was compared to throughout their 13-year marriage. She is happy that Ben is now happy.’
Garner and Affleck divorced in 2018 after 13 years of marriage but have remained close as they continue to amicably co-parent their three children (pictured in 2014)
The insider continued: ‘He understands they are a family, but it gets to him like it would anyone’
Earlier this summer, DailyMail.com revealed that Garner had made a conscious decision to step back from the ‘circus’ surrounding Affleck and Lopez because the situation had started to unearth ‘painful’ memories for her.
Now the star is primarily focused on co-parenting with Affleck – who has battled alcoholism and a gambling addiction for decades – as he navigates life after his most recent marriage, but will remain friendly with Lopez.
The couple first got engaged at the end of 2002 but broke it off a year later before calling quits on their relationship for good in 2004.
In the intervening years, J-Lo married and divorced Marc Anthony, with whom she has 16-year-old twins Max and Emme.
The couple, affectionately known as ‘Bennifer,’ reunited in 2021 before going on to tie the knot with two wedding ceremonies the following year.
Affleck went on to marry Garner with whom he shares Violet, 18, Finn, 15 (formerly known as Seraphina), and Samuel, 12. They divorced in 2018.
Affleck and Lopez first sparked separation rumors when they went 47 days without being seen together earlier this year.
Speculation of a split was further fuelled when they spent barely any time together over the summer.
Lopez and Affleck, 52, first got engaged at the end of 2002 but broke it off a year later before calling quits on their relationship for good in 2004
The couple rekindled in 2021 and married in a Las Vegas ceremony the following July, before throwing a lavish wedding at his Georgia estate in August 2022 (pictured)
Lopez had also walked the red carpet alone at the Met Gala in May — which was also when she called off her world tour ‘to be with her family.’
Affleck was then reported to have moved out of the $60 million home he shared with the On the Floor singer.
The actor later moved into a rental property in Los Angeles’ Brentwood neighborhood near Garner’s home.
Lopez was seen house hunting in Beverly Hills without Affleck in May, and again this month.
Their divorce marks Lopez’s fourth failed marriage and Affleck’s second.
