Jennfer Lopez and Ben Affleck ‘play nice’ for the kids

Their bitter breakup may have rocked the showbiz world, but Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck tried to present a united front during a family lunch last week – though an insider tells Closer that things were much less cordial than they appeared.

J.Lo (55) and Ben (52) are trying to get along in the presence of their children – her twins, Emme and Max (16), as well as Ben’s children: Violet (18), Seraphina (15). years old) and Samuel (12 years old), whom he shares with his ex-wife Jennifer Garner. However, they reportedly find it almost impossible to stay civil, and fans noticed the couple’s tense body language in photos taken of them during lunch.

An insider reveals: “J.Lo has so many grudges. She was much more icy towards Ben and made it clear that she would never forgive him for giving up on his marriage in such a cold manner. She has agreed to play nice and try to forget about it for the sake of the children, but the tension is palpable.

“They argued a lot on the phone before this meeting, which went as badly as everyone feared. I feel like the sooner the ink dries on divorce papers, the better for everyone.

The singer and the Batman star filed for divorce in August after two years of marriage, although they famously dated in 2001 and got engaged, and later blamed the intensity of public interest in their relationship for their first split in 2004. The marriage fell apart. this year, shortly after J.Lo released “The Greatest Love Story Never Told,” a documentary that was heavy on their romance. Sources say both stars are struggling to cope with their public breakup, and J.Lo in particular is determined to put on a brave face in front of the cameras.

“They could have spent time alone with the kids, but they deliberately chose the Beverly Hills Hotel to make a statement, and it was J.Lo who insisted. Image is everything to her – she desperately wants to kill the narrative that Ben dumped her and left without looking back. It’s too humiliating.

As Closer previously reported, Ben was spotted with actress and activist Kathleen “Kick” Kennedy, and J.Lo is reportedly struggling with the fact that her ex could leave so quickly.

Our source continues: “She still can’t come to terms with the way he treated her, and although she’s furious now, there’s no doubt she’d react if he suggested calling off the divorce. He insists that he won’t come back, but agrees to her request to stage this farce in front of the cameras. They say it was to show the kids that they were still friendly, but everyone knows it was more about her ego and wanting to be seen with Ben. She’s still vulnerable to him and his manipulations, so every shred of affection he shows her really makes her feel dizzy.

But you can never say never with these two. Miracles can happen, and she’s certainly praying for one. However, from the way Ben talks, he is as determined as ever to move forward with the divorce case.

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