Well, the difference is that if you call up the Attorney General and tell him you want to break a contract- is that ok; he will tell you to go ahead and do whatever you want.
If you ask your lawyer- same thing.
If you ask the court- same thing.
So I’m not sure what difference it makes to you that something is illegal, but there is no stigma or criminality or anything, that attaches to breaking contracts. It is just part of business. The fact that you pay is not a punishment- it is just business.