diff --git a/esphome/esp-officeduallights.yaml b/esphome/esp-officeduallights.yaml
index 8648c5a..660311f 100644
--- a/esphome/esp-officeduallights.yaml
+++ b/esphome/esp-officeduallights.yaml
@@ -6,6 +6,8 @@
 # https://home.fox.co.nz/gitea/zorruno/zorruno-homeassistant/src/branch/master/esphome/esp-officeduallights.yaml
 #:########################################################################################:#
 # VERSIONS:
+# V2.9 2026-08-16 Makes this physical relay the sole overhead status authority. Removes the
+#                 bidirectional shared retained-status topic that could chatter during reconnects.
 # V2.8 2026-07-25 Added 2-way MQTT sync with esp-officelights (office main lightswitch).
 #                 on_connect republishes retained status on MQTT reconnect. on_message
 #                 subscribes to main lightswitch command topics for offline HA-independent
@@ -91,7 +93,7 @@ substitutions:
 
   # Project Naming
   project_name: "Sonoff Technologies.Sonoff Dual R1"
-  project_version: "v2.8"
+  project_version: "v2.9"
 
   # Passwords and Secrets
   api_key: !secret esp-api_key
@@ -124,12 +126,6 @@ substitutions:
   mqtt_mainlight_function_overhead: "office-main-lights-right"
   mqtt_mainlight_command_overhead: "${mqtt_command_main_topic}/${mqtt_mainlight_function_overhead}"
 
-  # MQTT Overhead Status - shared topic for overhead state sync
-  # Both this device and esp-officelights publish and subscribe to this topic so
-  # whichever device's timer finishes first keeps the other in sync.
-  mqtt_shared_overhead_status_function: "office-overhead-status"
-  mqtt_shared_overhead_status_topic: "${mqtt_status_main_topic}/${mqtt_shared_overhead_status_function}"
-
   # MQTT Status/Command payloads
   mqtt_command_on: "On"
   mqtt_command_off: "Off"