Instead of them being trapped forever, or until the end of the story, this feels like a story that could easily explore the aftermath of one of these time loop stories. Like what happens after they get out? How has this experience impacted them? How will they grapple with their daily life after not living it for decades?
On a side note, at the end of the day the story is very tragic. I hope the author ends it on a hopeful note. This could easily turn depressing and I don’t want to see these great characters be sad forever.