Jennifer Garner has been left feeling like she was used as a ‘pawn’ during the breakdown of Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck‘s marriage, according to sources who claim her friends believe she was unnecessarily ‘put in the middle’ in recent months.
The superstar singer, 55, officially filed for divorce from the Gone Girl actor, 52, on Tuesday night following months of speculation – and just hours before what would have been the couple’s second wedding anniversary.
Prior to the filing, Affleck had been pictured spending a significant amount time with ex-wife Garner – who previously adopted the role of ‘marriage counsellor’ to the struggling couple.
But those close to Garner, 52, feel she was forced to ‘play mediator’ to help the pair work through their issues in a way that would not impact Affleck’s sobriety.
‘Jen feels slightly used as a pawn in JLo’s bid to repair her marriage,’ a source 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 the 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.’
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Earlier this summer, it was revealed that Garner had made a conscious decision to step back from the ‘circus’ surrounding Affleck and Lopez because the situation had unearthed ‘painful’ memories for the actress.
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.
