Ben Affleck was every inch the doting father as he brought his son Samuel to school in Los Angeles amid rumors he is living apart from his wife Jennifer Lopez.

While dropping off his 12-year-old, the 51-year-old *Gone Girl* star, who has reportedly ‘checked out’ of marriage after two years, looked exhausted as he made his way down the street carrying an iced coffee.

The actor bundled up for the outing in a red jacket with a sherpa-lined hood over a light grey zip-up and blue t-shirt. He completed his laid-back look with a pair of light blue jeans, a black belt buckle, and stylish sneakers.

Affleck’s youngest child, who he shares with ex-wife Jennifer Garner, walked alongside his dad as he rolled his school bag down the sidewalk. The two-time Oscar winner’s latest sighting comes amid reports that his and Lopez’s friends are divided over whether the couple can salvage their failing marriage amid their relationship woes.

Friends and family of the *Gigli* costars, who rekindled their romance in 2021 after nearly two decades apart, are torn about what the future holds for them. “Some believe they can work it out with time and effort, pointing to their deep bond. Others think the relationship has run its course,” a source told *Us Weekly*.

Another insider claimed that Affleck has “been checked out” and that they are on “two completely different pages most of the time.” “The honeymoon phase has worn off,” they noted.

As pointed out by another source, the stars “both have demanding careers that often require them to be in different cities.” The *Let’s Get Loud* hitmaker, 54, is currently busy preparing for her 30-date *This Is Me…Now* Tour, which kicks off next month. “Jennifer had started ramping up her work commitments and prepping for her tour,” the insider said. “She’s very focused on work and overextends herself.”

Affleck recently started shooting *The Accountant 2* in Los Angeles while the mother-of-two has been in New York City filming the musical *Kiss of the Spider Woman*. As they navigate their work obligations, often from opposite coasts, communication has also become a source of contention between the duo.

“Over time, Jennifer and Ben found it increasingly difficult to communicate effectively,” another source told the outlet. This has made “small misunderstandings” grow “into significant arguments.” The couple also have “fundamentally different approaches to conflict” as Affleck tends to withdraw and Lopez prefers to talk things out. 

With their busy schedules and differing conflict resolution styles, the future of their relationship remains uncertain.