Jennifer Garner Felt Like A ‘Pawn’ In Jennifer Lopez & Ben Affleck’s Marriage

Sources close to the actress said that she felt like she was used as a “pawn” after acting as a mediator between the pair.

Amid news of Bennifer’s divorce, Jennifer Lopez’s friends have reportedly raised concerns about a need for the singer to look inward as her split from Ben Affleck means she has now ended four marriages.

According to the Daily Mail, insiders disclosed that Garner felt thrust into the uncomfortable role of mediator as Lopez attempted to salvage her troubled marriage to Affleck, leaving her feeling like a “pawn” in their relationship games.

The “Elektra” actress was rumored to have adopted the role of “marriage counselor” in a bid to prevent the couple’s marriage from falling apart.

However, those close to her believe she was forced to “play mediator” for the struggling couple, who had separated since April 26, as seen in Lopez’s divorce filing.

“Jen feels slightly used as a pawn in JLo’s bid to repair her marriage,” a source told the news outlet. “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 insider continued.

The “Jenny From The Block” singer filed to divorce Affleck at the Los Angeles County Superior Court on Tuesday, August 20.

Amid rumors of her troubled marriage with the “Argo” actor, she was understood to be leaning on her family and friends, including Garner.

However, despite how complicated it was for all of them, Garner’s friends reportedly didn’t approve of the way Lopez leaned on her.

“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 source told the Daily Mail.

“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,” the insider added.

According to the news outlet, Garner eventually had to remove herself from the “circus” around Lopez and Affleck’s troubled marriage because it brought back “painful” memories for her.

She’s now said to be turning her attention to co-parenting her children with the “Gone Girl” actor as they recently sent their eldest child, Violet, to resume classes at Yale University.

“In the end, Jen Garner always has Ben’s back, and although she does consider JLo a friend now, no one sees this blossoming further,” the source shared, adding both women “will likely not be hanging out and going on bike rides together in the Hamptons.”

It turns out that Garner’s quest to play savior for her ex-husband’s failed marriage put a strain on her own relationship.

According to the Daily Mail, the “Daredevil” actress’s rumored fiancé, businessman John Miller, was allegedly left frustrated by how involved she was in trying to “fix” Affleck’s marriage.

“John wants nothing more than for Ben to be okay, but it isn’t his girlfriend’s responsibility to play babysitter to him,” an insider previously shared.

They added, “That is for Ben to figure out on his own and for his wife to handle. It isn’t Jen’s responsibility, and he has told her this.”

Lopez filed for divorce from Affleck on the second anniversary of their Georgia wedding, seemingly raising suspicion that she did it to spite him.

However, a source told the Daily Mail that the move didn’t get to Affleck, who was seen looking cheerful as he and Garner traveled to Connecticut over the weekend to help their eldest child, Violet, prepare to resume classes at Yale University.

“Jennifer[Lopez] said she was tired of being humiliated by Ben and she waited until the two-year anniversary because she wanted to sting,” the insider noted.

“But it did not sting him. He’s been done for a long time and deep down she knows this. He let her have this so that she wouldn’t look like the villain,” they added.