Jennifer Garner is reportedly afraid of falling for Ben Affleck again—here's why

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner's recent closeness has sparked rumors of a possible reconciliation. 

After they were seen hugging at a paintball outing with their kids, speculation grew that Affleck was interested in rekindling their romance. However, sources previously said Garner was happy with her boyfriend and had no plans to reunite with her ex-husband. Now, according to sources, the potential reason behind her reluctance to fall for Affleck again has come to light. 

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After a video surfaced of Ben and Jennifer looking cozy at the paintball game, The Daily Mail reported that Garner has a 'deep fear' of falling for him again—the exes were married for 10 years and share three children, split in 2015. Adding to the speculation, sources say Garner hasn't been seen with her boyfriend, John Miller, since February 20.

Sources say Jennifer still has 'trust issues' from Ben's rumored affair with their former nanny, Christine Ouzounian, over a decade ago. "She loves Ben but is worried that he will crush her all over again," a source told the British tabloid. 

"She doesn't want to heal another broken heart because it is just too much drama, plus she does not want their kids to see round two of their mom in a bad place with their dad, "the source added, referring to their children, Violet, 19, Fin, 16, and Samuel, 13. "Too many things could go wrong if they got back together," they warned.

Jennifer Garner's own words about her marriage to Ben

Although recent speculation about Jennifer and Ben's relationship comes from anonymous sources, the actress has previously spoken candidly about their divorce. In a 2016 interview with Vanity Fair, she shared her personal struggles following the end of their marriage.

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"My heart's a little on the tender side right now, and it's always easier to focus on the ways that you feel hurt, but I know that, with time and some perspective, I'll have a clearer sense of where I let the system down, because there's no way I get off in this." Garner emphasized that their marriage was real and not for show. "It was a real marriage. It wasn't for the cameras. And it was a huge priority for me to stay in it. And that did not work."

Jennifer Garner once said she'd marry Ben again

In that same revealing interview, given just months after their split, Jennifer addressed the widely publicized scandal involving the nanny. She clarified that the affair wasn't the reason for their breakup. "Let me tell you something," she said before dismissing the idea that the scandal had been the catalyst for their separation.

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Even though she acknowledged how difficult things had become toward the end of their marriage, she also made it clear that she never regretted marrying Ben. "I didn't marry the big movie star—I married him," she explained. "And I would go back and make that same decision again. I ran down the beach to him, and I'd do it all over again." Garner was referring to their intimate wedding in the Turks and Caicos, officiated by her Alias co-star, Victor Garber.

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"I wouldn't have these three beautiful babies or so much of what we had," she continued. "He's the love of my life. What am I supposed to do about that? He's the smartest person in any room, the most charismatic, the most generous. He's just… complicated. I always say, 'When his sun shines on you, you feel it.' But when that sun shines elsewhere, it gets cold. He can cast quite a shadow."

Could her past feelings for Ben still be lingering? It seems Jennifer Garner is choosing to protect herself—and her family—from another emotional rollercoaster.