You got the processing right.. just didnt understand the flow on consequences and timing .. lawyers wont necessarily be telling you that .. its a matter of understanding it yourself and asking questions .. before rather than later !!
Abandoning the AOS process wont affect a future application through Consular Processing but it will incur an overstay ban, cause any current tourist visa to be cancelled immediately, and cause zero chance of visiting the US again.
Can they wait a bit longer here? You are so far through this step .. but its their choice .. they can weigh up the impact of the ban verses the impact of staying in the US.. and then decide