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She tries to avoid the noise at all costs. Last year, Jennifer Garner<\/strong><\/a> admitted that she makes a concerted effort not to read any news stories that might involve herself or ex-husband Ben Affleck<\/strong> because it can mess with her headspace. \u201cI really work hard not to see either of us in the press,\u201d she explained. \u201cIt doesn\u2019t make me feel good, even if it\u2019s something nice about one of us.\u201d<\/p>\n In recent months, it\u2019s been hard to avoid it. In February, Ben\u2019s wife of almost two years, Jennifer Lopez<\/strong>, fueled headlines with the release of not one, not two, but three projects inspired by her rekindled romance with Ben \u2014 an album, This Is Me\u2026 Now<\/em><\/a>; a movie, This Is Me\u2026 Now: A Love Story<\/em>; and a documentary, The Greatest Love Story Never Told<\/em>. The trio further detailed her connection with the Oscar winner, which has spanned more than two decades. Including the 10-year period he was married to Jen.<\/p>\n Now, a source exclusively tells Life & Style<\/em> that it\u2019s Jen\u2019s turn to talk. \u201cJen doesn\u2019t think anyone knows the truth about her and Ben. Nobody knows what people go through \u2014 or how much she shielded Ben and their children,\u201d explains the source. \u201cJen is finally opening up to some friends about how rough it really was.\u201d\n<\/p>\n She\u2019s shared precious little with the public. In 2016 \u2014 the year after Jen, 51, and Ben, also 51, announced their separation \u2014 Jen did shed some light on their split, though she was careful not to trash her ex. \u201cHe\u2019s the most brilliant person in any room, the most charismatic, the most generous,\u201d the actress gushed to Vanity Fair<\/em>. \u201cHe\u2019s just a complicated guy. I always say, \u2018When his sun shines on you, you feel it. But when the sun is shining elsewhere, it\u2019s cold.\u2019 He can cast quite a shadow.\u201d<\/p>\n In recent weeks, Jen and Ben have put up a united front. Both took son Samuel to Disneyland for his 12th birthday (they also share Violet, 18, and Seraphina, 15) in early March, and in February, it was reported that Jen was in negotiations to star opposite Ben\u2019s best friend, Matt Damon<\/strong><\/a>, 53, in the crime thriller Animals, which Ben is directing.<\/p>\n Until just a few years ago, though, Ben was \u201cmaking Jen\u2019s life hell,\u201d says the source of the disintegration of their marriage amid his escalating addiction issues. \u201cJen put up with a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben\u2019s said he and Jen \u201cgrew apart,\u201d but also admitted that his excessive drinking played a role in the demise of their relationship. \u201cHis addictions were worse than anyone knows. Jen\u2019s explained how she had to deal with Ben during benders and blackouts and plenty of ugly arguments. Some pretty incomprehensible stuff,\u201d says the source, adding that the couple could \u201cgo weeks without talking to each other\u201d and would often sleep in separate bedrooms. Still, \u201cJen couldn\u2019t just walk away. Not until he was better.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben sought treatment in 2001 and 2017. It didn\u2019t stick until Jen, witnessing his agony as he hit rock bottom one scary night, convinced Ben to let her drive him to rehab once again in 2018, weeks before they finalized their divorce. \u201cRelapse is embarrassing obviously,\u201d the actor later said of Jen having to intervene. \u201cI wish it didn\u2019t happen.\u201d<\/p>\n Two-and-a-half years later, Ben reunited with J. Lo, 54, \u201cwhen he was sober,\u201d says the source. \u201cJen had to deal with him at his worst. She put in the hard work, gave the unconditional love Ben needed at his lowest points, and J. Lo got the recovered, better Ben. It\u2019s painful to think about, but Jen holds no grudges.\u201d<\/p>\n As she herself put it, \u201cI cannot let anger or hurt be my engine.\u201d Especially when she\u2019s had other big issues to contend with. In the summer of 2021, the same year Ben and J. Lo got back together, Jen faced a secret medical crisis, a second insider reveals to Life & Style<\/em>. It has thankfully been resolved, and she\u2019s healthy today.<\/p>\n In fact, Jen is \u201chappier than ever,\u201d says the first source, pointing out that she\u2019s found love again, as well. \u201cBut she\u2019s mostly just grateful that her kids will grow up with both of their parents<\/a> still by their side.\u201d<\/p>\n They have a bonus guardian, too. Though Jen and J. Lo \u2014 who praised the Yes Day<\/em> star as \u201can amazing coparent<\/a>\u201d in 2022 \u2014 \u201caren\u2019t best friends, they are in a better place\u201d than they were a few years ago, says another source. \u201cJen realized that J. Lo isn\u2019t as domineering as she assumed, and they both agree that the most important thing is the children\u2019s happiness. They also are on the same page about a sober, happy and healthy Ben benefiting everybody.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nPainful Secrets<\/h2>\n
Supportive Til the End<\/h2>\n