CRACKS IN THE MARRIAGE

Another nasty public fight threatens Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck’s already fragile relationship

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Ben Affleck seemed to be blowing B Dec. 29, the exasperated-looking actor threw his hands in the air, a pained expression on his face, as Jennifer looked up at him defiantly. "It was a quick outburst," says a source. "Within minutes, she had defused the situation and things calmed down. Ben is usually happy to accommodate what his wife loves, like going out and being photographed, but his top. During a shopping trip with wife Jennifer Lopez at a highend jewelry store in St. Barts on there are times he hits his breaking point." Lately, that's happening more and more often. "Jennifer and Ben are both incredibly passionate people. They have always loved hard and fought hard," the source says of the pair, who got married in 2022, 18 years after their first engagement fell apart under intense public scrutiny. Since then, they've been struggling to avoid the same pitfalls and make the marriage work. "The first time they were together, their relationship couldn't handle the pressures of the spotlight, and those same issues are starting to get to them again." Jennifer was even seen strolling on the beach by herself the day after their spat (left), notes the source, revealing that those close to the couple believe a trial separation is in the works, "and that would be J. Lo's worst nightmare."

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