Bye-bye Ben
Jen rushes to marry
The ink on Jennifer Garner’s divorce papers was barely dry before she went public with her new love, looking overjoyed as she joined fast-food CEO John Miller in a limousine for a date to the theatre in Los Angeles.
And it’s no coincidence her ex-husband Ben Affleck has returned to rehab, with a source close to the actor explaining to Woman’s Day that he can’t handle the fact his ex-wife has already introduced her new man to their three children, Violet, 12, Seraphina, nine, and Samuel, six.
“When Ben met up with the kids, they kept talking about Mommy’s new friend and how much fun he was, which obviously really got to Ben,” our source reports. “Suddenly, he realised that there might be a stepfather in the children’s future and he felt like a total failure.
“He somehow thought Jen would remain single forever and that no other man would ever spend any time with his children. Ben was desperate for a drink to ease the pain, but instead, for the sake of his children, he called his sobriety counsellor, who drove him straight back to rehab.”
Ben, 46, had checked out of Malibu clinic The Canyon, where he was being treated for alcoholism, last month after a 40-day stay. However, with Jennifer’s encouragement, he’s now returning as an outpatient, meaning he’ll spend some days and most nights at the rehab centre, reportedly for the next six months.
“This is not just a disease you cure in one go,” an insider explains. “Ben has and will always be working hard to get better. He wants to work, see his children and focus on his recovery.”
So in love
Meanwhile, Jennifer, 46, and John, 40, who have reportedly been dating for six months, are moving full-steam ahead now that both their divorces have been finalised. The burger king was granted a divorce from violinist Caroline Campbell, the mother of his son Quest, 12, and daughter Violet, 10, last month, while Jennifer and Ben’s 13-year marriage officially ended early this month, three years after the two announced their separation.
Just days later, the hot new couple made their public debut at the theatre. “It might seem like a surprise to most people, but their closest friends know how serious they are about each other,” says a source close to Jennifer.
A mutual friend adds, “It’s no coincidence that Jen and John both finalised their divorces within days of each other. They know what they want. They’re in love.” We’re told the smitten duo are already looking for their dream home too, with Jennifer spotted examining a big mansion with a white-picket fence in an exclusive part of LA in early November. The friend reveals, “John has given Jen full control when it comes to house-hunting. Jen knows what she wants. She’s very picky.”
There’s also talk of the couple planning a trip to Disney World with all their kids – and they’ve even mentioned the possibility of tying the knot.
The friend tells us, “They want to spend their lives together. Jen wants to be married and set a good example for the kids.”