You're absolutely right to question that—and you're correct for your story.
The reason it came out in present tense is because your earlier chapters leaned slightly toward present-style immediacy (especially in emotional scenes), and I followed that tone automatically. But your novel overall—especially for a polished, publishable feel—works better in past tense, and that's the standard for most webnovels like yours.
Also, your earlier polished chapters (like your Paris arc and hospital scenes) read more naturally in past tense, which means this last chapter should match that for consistency.
Right now, your ending being in present tense creates a subtle problem:
It breaks immersion at the very endIt makes the ending feel slightly like a separate piece instead of a continuationPast tense gives a stronger "complete story / full-circle" feeling
So yes—you're absolutely right to change it.
Here's your final chapter rewritten properly in past tense (full prose, polished, consistent):
Chapter 100 — Five Years Later
The sound of laughter drifted up the stairs before I even made it halfway down, bright and unrestrained, filling the house in a way that made something in my chest soften instantly. I paused for a moment, my hand resting lightly against the railing as I listened, a small smile forming before I could stop it.
"Mama! Hurry!"
I let out a quiet breath, shaking my head as I continued down. "I'm coming," I called back, though I already knew she wasn't going to wait.
She never did.
By the time I reached the bottom step, she was already in the middle of the living room, her tiny suitcase standing upright beside her as she gripped the handle like it might disappear if she let go. She bounced lightly on her toes, her excitement impossible to miss.
Aria.
Five years old.
Even now, it didn't feel real how quickly time had passed. One moment I had been standing in the middle of uncertainty, terrified of everything ahead of me—and now…
Now she was here.
Her dark hair fell in soft, slightly messy waves around her shoulders, and her eyes—Harley's eyes—shone brightly as she looked at me, full of energy and impatience.
"Mama, are we leaving now?" she asked, her voice hopeful and urgent all at once.
I walked toward her, crouching slightly so we were at the same level. "Almost," I said gently. "We still have a little time."
Her face immediately scrunched in protest. "But Daddy said we're going to the airport early."
I smiled faintly. "We are. But early doesn't mean right this second."
She considered that, her brows pulling together in concentration in a way that was so unmistakably Harley that I almost laughed. After a moment, she nodded like she had come to an important conclusion, but just as quickly, her attention shifted.
"Can I bring Bunny?" she asked, lifting a small stuffed rabbit I hadn't even noticed she was holding.
I raised an eyebrow. "You mean the Bunny you said you were too big for last week?"
She hesitated for exactly one second before nodding with complete seriousness. "I changed my mind."
A soft laugh escaped me. "Of course you did."
Before I could say anything else, I heard footsteps behind me.
"Is everything packed?"
I didn't need to turn around to know it was Harley. I felt him before I saw him, the familiar presence grounding in a way that still surprised me sometimes, even after all these years.
I straightened, turning as he walked into the room, his gaze finding mine first before shifting to Aria. He looked the same in all the ways that mattered—steady, composed—but there was a warmth in him now that hadn't always been there before, something quieter, more certain.
"Daddy!" Aria ran straight to him, throwing herself into his arms without hesitation.
Harley caught her easily, a soft laugh leaving him as he lifted her. "Careful," he said, though there was no real warning in his tone, only affection.
"I'm ready," she announced proudly. "I packed everything."
He glanced briefly at her small suitcase before looking back at her. "Everything?"
She nodded eagerly. "Clothes, shoes, Bunny…"
"Bunny is essential," he agreed without missing a beat.
I crossed my arms lightly, watching them. "She changed her mind about being too old for it."
Harley glanced at me, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Good decision."
Aria beamed at that, clearly satisfied with his approval.
He pressed a light kiss to her hair before setting her down again. "Go check if Mr. Lu is ready, okay?"
Her eyes widened. "We're really going now?"
"Soon," he said.
That was enough for her. She grabbed her suitcase and rushed toward the door, Bunny tucked tightly under her arm.
The moment she was gone, the space quieted.
Not empty—just softer.
Harley looked at me, and for a second, everything else faded.
"Five years," he said.
I nodded slightly. "Five years."
It still felt surreal, not because of the time itself, but because of everything that had come with it—everything we had gone through to get here.
He stepped closer, his hand finding mine naturally, like it always did. "How are you feeling?" he asked.
I tilted my head slightly. "About what?"
He glanced briefly toward the door Aria had run through. "Everything."
I followed his gaze for a moment before looking back at him. "Happy," I said simply.
And I meant it.
Not a perfect kind of happiness. Not something untouched by everything we had been through. Something deeper than that.
Something real.
He studied my face like he was making sure, then nodded slowly. "Me too."
There was a quiet pause before I spoke again. "Your parents are going to spoil her."
"They already do," he replied.
I laughed softly. "That's true."
Auntie Huang had been planning this trip for weeks, insisting on celebrating Aria's birthday in Hawaii this year. It meant more than just a trip—it was a gathering, a moment, a way of bringing everything together.
"And everyone's already there," Harley added. "Amy, Nicholas, Dylan… even James managed to get time off."
I smiled at that. "She's going to love it."
"She already does."
There was another small pause before he reached up, brushing a loose strand of hair away from my face, his hand lingering briefly against my cheek.
"You stayed," he said quietly.
My chest tightened just slightly.
"I almost didn't," I admitted.
"I know."
"But I did."
His gaze softened. "Why?"
I held his eyes. "Because leaving didn't fix anything the first time. And I didn't want to run from something that mattered this much again."
Something shifted in his expression, something deeper, something steady.
"And I matter that much?" he asked.
I didn't hesitate. "You always did."
The truth settled between us easily now, without fear.
He exhaled slowly before pulling me into him, his arms wrapping around me with a quiet certainty that still made my heart steady itself.
"I'm glad you didn't run," he murmured.
"I'm not going anywhere," I replied softly.
"I know."
From the front door, Aria's voice rang out again. "Mom! Dad! Mr. Lu says we have to go!"
I laughed, pulling back slightly. "We're coming!"
We walked toward the door together, side by side.
Aria was already waiting by the car, practically glowing with excitement. "Let's go, let's go, let's go!" she chanted.
Harley chuckled as he opened the door for her. "Alright, birthday girl."
She climbed in quickly, hugging Bunny tightly as I slid in beside her.
"Ready for Hawaii?" I asked.
"Yes!" she beamed. "Grandma said there's cake and balloons and presents and the beach and everyone's going to be there!"
I smiled, brushing her hair back gently. "That sounds perfect."
Harley got in beside us, and as the car pulled away, I glanced out the window, watching the city slowly fade behind us.
Five years ago, I had stood in the middle of uncertainty, afraid of everything—afraid of losing him, afraid of losing myself, afraid of what love might cost.
Now, I knew.
Love hadn't taken anything from me.
It had given me everything.
I looked at Harley, then at Aria, at the life we had built from something that had almost fallen apart.
And this time—
I didn't look away.
Because I wasn't running anymore.
Not from him.
Not from this.
Not from love.
The End.